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Most Saturdays, I write an Interruption on a Psalm with the number of the Psalm included in the title. Today’s Interruption should be titled Psalms on Saturday ~ Psalm 39.
But there’s a fascinating verse in this psalm. . .
Leave me alone so I can smile again before I am gone and exist no more (v. 13, NLT).
The overall tone of the Bible is joy despite difficult times. James tells us to consider it all joy when we encounter trials (James 1:2), and Paul says that we are to rejoice always (Philippians 4:4). But seemingly in contradiction, David writes in Psalm 39, “Go away God, so that I can smile again.”
We’ve all experienced emotionally low moments when we don’t want to smile. Then someone, noticing our gloomy face, says, “Smile, God loves you!” Do we want to smile or strangle this well-intentioned interloper into our emotional state?
David felt the same way. He was saying, “God, I’ve had enough. Life’s too difficult, and it’s not easy doing Your work. Don’t talk to me about joy; just go away.” Do we remember as children when crying and our parents approached us, and we told them to “go away?”
What was David going through?
He was forced to be silent in the presence of the ungodly. . .
I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me (v. 1b).
David had lost perspective and felt it was too late to change anything. . .
You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath (v. 5).
His hard work wasn’t accomplishing his expectations. . .
We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it (v. 6).
David had made mistakes. . .
Rescue me from my rebellion. Do not let fools mock me. I am silent before you; I won’t say a word, for my punishment is from you (vv. 8-9).
Let’s review — unable to speak and be honest to those around him, losing the grand design perspective of God’s eternal sovereignty, failed efforts, and the guilt of making bad decisions — David wasn’t smiling!
Are we smiling right now? Are we in a season of frustration? Do we want to tell God and our friends to go away and leave us alone?
In Psalm 39, after experiencing this emotional low, David makes two final conclusions. . .
One: Hope!
And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you (v. 7).
Two: Prayer!
Hear my prayer, O Lord! Listen to my cries for help! Don’t ignore my tears (v. 12a).
When I tell people to go away, I don’t want them to leave forever, and often, I want them to ignore my complaints and stay. That’s what God does. He takes our deepest hurt, deflects our anger, and stays faithful.
David learned (and we must also) that only hope and prayer can solve our difficulties. Let me encourage you today with one word, “Smile!”
I hope that you don’t get mad at me!
