The Psalms pretty quickly get to the heart of the matter (and the depth of our own hearts.) Just a few songs onto this biblical collection, we find words that sing of sadness and lament.

In our own lives, we may have sung along to “Lovesick Blues” or “Achy, Breaky Heart.” In the Psalms, these expressions are known as laments. (Definition of Lament – to mourn aloud; to wail; to express sorrow, mourning, or regret)

The Psalms of Lament are the most numerous of all types of Psalms. There are two types of laments in the Psalms. Individual laments and community laments.

The laments of an individual are featured in:

Psalms 3, 5,7, 13 17, 22, 25,26,27,31,35,38,39,42,51,55,57,59,77,88,123,140,141,143

Psalm 3

A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom.

¹ O Lord, how many are my foes!
Many are rising against me;
² many are saying to me,
“There is no help for you^[a] in God.”         Selah

³ But you, O Lord, are a shield around me,
my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.
⁴ I cry aloud to the Lord,
and he answers me from his holy hill.        Selah

⁵ I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, for the Lord sustains me.
⁶ I am not afraid of ten thousands of people
who have set themselves against me all around.

⁷ Rise up, O Lord!
Deliver me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
you break the teeth of the wicked.

⁸ Deliverance belongs to the Lord;
may your blessing be on your people!        Selah

Psalm 13

To the leader. A Psalm of David.

¹ How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
² How long must I bear pain^[a] in my soul,
and have sorrow in my heart all day long?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

³ Consider and answer me, O Lord my God!
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,
⁴ and my enemy will say, “I have prevailed”;
my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.

⁵ But I trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
⁶ I will sing to the Lord,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.

We know the depths of despair. As we lift our sadness to God, consolation comes in trusting the Lord.

Prayer

Help me to trust that you will protect me and care for me this day. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.