Since the full range of human emotion is expressed in the Psalms which are meant to be sung, I think it is important to explore how this practice can point our hearts to Christ when used as intended, not only in the worship service, but also in our everyday lives. God’s Word and God, the Holy Spirit, direct and counsel our thoughts to bring us to Christ. The Psalms are especially suited to reach deep into our innermost being to reveal what is there and realign our souls when we, like lost sheep, begin to go astray in our hearts.
David Murray, in his article on therapeutic praise writes: “The Psalms not only permit us to ‘vent’ our emotions, but also call for their transformation. We are not left to wallow in our feelings, but are shown how to move from fear to courage, from sorrow to joy, from anger to peace, and from despair to hope.”
As one who finds herself melancholy, my plan is to record all that I can of God’s works in my life, that He might be specifically praised for each one. This idea first came to my mind after singing all of Psalm 73. I sang it while praying for a friend who was in great distress with God’s providence at the time. Singing it brought me from feelings of confusion and sadness over my sin to a crisp glimpse of the greatness of God’s mercy toward His people and a strong desire to praise Him and keep Him focused and clear in my mind’s eye. I praise God for removing the blurry, clouded malaise from my heart and replacing that with hope in Him as my refuge.
August 6, 2012
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