Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

This psalm title has two different authors presented, the ‘descendants of Korah’ and ‘Heman the Ezrahite’ one of the wise counselors of Solomon and brother of ‘Ethan’ the author of Psalm 89. “He (Solomon) was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite and Heman…” (1 Kgs. 5:31 ) One possible explanation is that Heman the Ezrahite was the writer of the lyrics/words while the descen- dants of Korah being musicians, composed the ‘tune’ … ’The Suffering of Affliction.’ This song title comes from the Hebrew words ‘Mahalath Leannoth’ which Spurgeon says, ‘are intended to denote some mu- sical instrument of the plaintive order, it was a wind instrument, answering very much to the flute, and employed mainly in giving utterance to sentiments of grief, upon occasions of great sorrow and lamen- tation 2 .’ It must be remembered that however dark and afflicted these lyrics are, it is a song-prayer to be sung in worship to the Lord. Music is not only for the happiest of moments but for the lowest points of our lives also. Verses 1 and 2 represent the highest spiritual point of this psalm while the rest of the verses pres- ent the deepest despair of human existence but to Heman’s credit, he never stops praying and believ- ing that God will hear him. This is dark music where the only hope left in the author’s soul is prayer. Delitzsch says that this ‘shows that the spark of faith within him is not utterly extinguished.’ 3 The les- son is vivid; never give up on prayer because God is listening. Jesus was in the same position in Geth- semane, prayer was all that he had left as the darkness surrounded him: “He went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by.” (Mrk. 14:35) Although this psalm arose out of a personal experience of Heman, the Gethsemane prayer and the crucifixion are prophetically echoed and cast their light upon the song. The theme of impending death is best understood by the last night and day of Jesus’ life on earth: • “For my life is full of troubles, and death draws near.” (3) Jesus told his disciples in the garden: “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and watch with me.” (Mrk. 14:34) • “I have been dismissed as one who is dead, like a strong man with no strength left.” (4) Isaiah says of Jesus in these moments: “He was despised and we did not care.” (Isa. 53:3) • “They have abandoned me to death, and I am as good as dead. I am forgotten, cut off from your care.” (5) Isaiah speaks further of the horrible experience: “From prison and trial they led him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins - that he was suffering their punishment?” (Isa. 53:8) • “You have thrust me down to the lowest pit, into the darkest depths.” (6) The darkness around Calvary was immeasurably great; “At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice…’My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” (Mt. 27:45,46) The Crucifixion took place in total darkness, only lanterns and torches illuminated the suffering Messiah. Spurgeon offers this insight into extreme suffering for all who are going through cru- cifying experiences; ’the mind can descend far lower than the body 4 .’ • “Your anger lies heavy on me; wave after wave engulfs me. Interlude” (7) This event is de- scribed in the terms of a helpless, drowning person caught in the power of the tides and breakers of the sea. Christ suffered the waves of God’s anger on our behalf; “Yet the Lord laid on him the guilt and sins of us all.”(Isa. 53:6) The waves we now face have had their anger removed at the cross. I DAY AND NIGHT - 1-7 “O Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried out to you day and night. Now hear my prayer; listen to my cry.”(vs.1,2)

II EACH DAY - 8-12

• “You have caused my friends to loathe me; you have sent them all away, I am in a trap with no way of escape.” (8) As the soldiers arrested Jesus in the garden at night the scripture says: “At that point, all the disciples deserted him and fled.” (56) There are crisis points in life where God removes us from earthly relationships to focus on our personal convictions. The crucifixion brings out into the open every hidden intention of the heart. Pilate was indecisive, Judas a betrayer, Mary a faithful mother, Peter denied his Lord, one thief cursed him, the other embraced him. Only ‘Gethsemane prayer’ can prepare

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