Words of Comfort, Hope and JoySample

The Psalmist is eager to sing for the Lord, and he urges his soul to rise from the slumber it has fallen into so that a new song may fill his inner being. He encourages the instruments he had set aside for a while to wake up from their sleep and join him in singing. He calls upon the dawn to awaken. Usually, dawn comes in its own time, waking people and animals. However, the Psalmist who wishes to sing for God cannot wait for dawn to arrive naturally. He would prefer to ask the dawn to come a little earlier so he can begin singing for the Lord. He can't wait!

The Psalmist's enthusiasm to sing for God is unparalleled and unexpected. It is not easy to sing in the situation he described in the previous verses. In verse 4, he depicts the severity of his circumstances: “I am in the midst of lions, I lie among ravenous beasts; men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp arrows.” It is a difficult situation and not one suited for singing along to stringed instruments like the harp and lyre. The reality of what he endures is not conducive to joyful singing but instead calls for lamenting.

However, although the situation is worrying and weighs on his heart, another part of his life makes him sing. It is his faith in God, who will rescue him from all the troubles he faces. It is the faith in a God who “sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me; God sends His love and His faithfulness” (v. 3). It is the faith in God that rescues us from all malice and wicked plans of the enemy, which causes a song to reside in our lips.

The psalmist concentrates on God, who saves him, rather than on the enemy who futilely attempts to destroy him.

No matter how difficult the circumstances, decide today to lift your heart in praise and trust God’s saving power. Let faith, not fear, be the song on your lips, declaring God’s love and faithfulness even in the midst of trials.