This psalm is the cry of a desperate man. His health is part of the problem and health issues can weigh heavily on a person’s mental and emotional state. In verses 1 and 2, he called to God for an answer to his problem. In verses 23 and 24, he tells us he is afraid of dying. He said God broke his strength in midlife; maybe he was in his 30’s or 40’s. He plead, “don’t take my life while I am so young”!
His symptoms included, “my bones burn like red-hot coals. My heart is sick, withered like grass, and I have lost my appetite. Because of my groaning, I am reduced to skin and bones.” And unfortunately, he blamed God for his condition: “My tears run down into my drink because of Your anger and wrath. For You have picked me up and thrown me out.” (Verses 3-5, 9-10). His thoughts are much like Job’s; there seems to be no rational answer to his situation.
While we don’t know exactly when this was written, it may have been on the Jewish refugee’s journey to Babylon. He tells us that his enemies “taunt me day after day. They mock and curse me.” (Verse 8). In verses 13-16, he wrote about the expectation of the Jews for the restoration and rebuilding of Jerusalem. He wrote about the love the people had for the stones in the walls and even the dust of the streets. Amazing how after we lose something, we can look back with fondness on the things we took for granted. The people didn’t have to lose the city if they had listened to the prophet, Jeremiah, but, like pharaoh in Egypt, God hardened the hearts of leaders because of the peoples’ idolatry.
But even through his hardship, he praised God for who He was. “But You, O Lord, will sit on Your throne forever. Your fame will endure to every generation. . .But You are always the same; You will live forever. The children of Your people will live in security. Their children’s children will thrive in Your presence.” (Verses 12, 27-28). Regardless of our circumstances, we should always rejoice because our hope is in God. We may not understand our situation, but we understand He is God and He loves us very much. John 3:16-18.