Why, O Lord, do you stand far away?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
2 In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor;
let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised.
Babies are known for their mood swings, with laughter one second and sobs the next. If Psalms 9 and 10 are two parts of the same psalm as some suggest, this qualifies as the most pronounced mood swing in all of Scripture. Psalm 9 is a song of thanksgiving for God’s wonderful deeds, his presence on the throne, and his judgment of his enemies. Then in the next instant, Psalm 10 starts out by asking God where he is and why his enemies are getting away with murder. This is the most compelling evidence that it is two psalms, a song of thanksgiving and a lament psalm. Lament psalms typically end with praise and a pledge to trust in the Lord, as this psalm does. Rarely does a thanksgiving psalm become a lament.
Come to Cape Community Church tomorrow and see that the best takeaway from this is that the psalms are the word of God and that David is the author. He praised the Lord when he was rescued by him and he cried out to God in trust when he was pursued by hie enemies. David was no baby and neither are we with mood swings. When we praise the Lord, we are worshiping him in trust. When we cry out to him, we are doing the same thing. Come and see that the Lord is good in all circumstances.
Dear Lord, thank you that in our changing world and moods, you are unchanging with steadfast love. May our trust in you be a response to your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church