Navy Seals undergo a rigorous physical and mental trial appropriately named “Hell Week.” During, this week the new recruits are constantly in motion. They are required to run, swim, do sit-ups and push-ups, endure cold water, and accomplish difficult tasks, all on minimal sleep! Some are able to endure this experience only because they know the end is in sight.
David is at his breaking point in this psalm. He does not see an end in sight. “How long, Lord, how long?” he asks (v. 3). David seems to have been suffering a sickness of some sort. He laments that he is “faint” and that his “bones are in agony” (v. 2). He understands this affliction is the result of God’s punishment for his sin. He begged God not to discipline or rebuke him in His anger, not because he is innocent, but out of mercy (v. 2). David gives two reasons for God to have compassion. He asks, “Among the dead no one proclaims your name. Who praises you from the grave?” (v. 5). He reasons that God should spare his life so he can praise God. This may seem like an odd reason for David to give. However, it reveals a deep theological truth. For David, life consisted of praising the Lord. Not to praise God is in a sense not to be fully alive. David asks God to restore his health so he could return to this important calling.
Second, David paints a vivid picture of his suffering in order to arouse God’s compassion. “All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears” (v. 6). David believes that God cares about his suffering. He ends his lament with a note of faith: “The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer” (v. 9).
Pray with Us
Keeping MBI’s library staff in prayer, please add April Nelson, Ashley Smith, Christopher Ullman, and Donna Singley to your prayer list. Their expertise and helpful service are a blessing for the Moody community.
BY Ryan Cook
Dr. Ryan Cook has taught at Moody Bible Institute since 2012. He earned his bachelor of arts in Bible and Theology from Moody and his master of arts in Old Testament from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. He has worked in Christian education and served as a pastor in Michigan for seven years. During his time as a professor at Moody, he earned his doctorate from Asbury Theological Seminary. He now lives with his wife, Ashley, and their three children in the Chicagoland area.