Awake My Soul, And Sing
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.—Psalm 57:7-11
Even for all of King David’s mistakes, he was called "a man after God’s own heart." I think we catch a glimpse of that heart in this Psalm. David had been anointed as the next king of Israel, and the current king wasn't so thrilled about that. King Saul was out for blood, and would stop at nothing! David was a fugitive living on the run. At the time this was penned, he was spending his days hiding in a cave. If anyone had reason to be depressed, it was David. It seemed as though none of his dreams would ever be fulfilled. Everywhere he turned there were those who sought his life. He describes this world in verse four. "I am in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts—men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords." No one would blame him if worship wasn't the first thing on his mind. No one would blame him if he pointed his finger at God in frustration and shouted, "Why?!"
But David was a man after God’s own heart, and his response reflects that heart. Notice that he didn't sugar coat his circumstance, he voiced his frustration in those situations, but in the midst of that frustration he takes control of his response, "AWAKE, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn." He didn't allow his emotions to control his worship, rather he made his worship control his emotions!
We too face difficult circumstances. Our dreams seem like they will never be fulfilled. The loss of a job shakes our confidence and sends us into hiding. Disease threatens us with death, and we see time slipping away. All around us our enemies lurk in the shadows, waiting to destroy our hope, steal our peace, and kill our dreams. No one would blame us if we shook our fists at the heavens in frustration and shouted, "WHY?!"
When we come to these "cave moments" where our frustration and emotions run the highest, we do well to remember David. In these circumstances he called to mind the character of God. He spoke to his soul, addressed his emotions, and reminded them of the faithfulness and great love of God. "Awake, my soul!" We have something that David did not have! We have the knowledge of God’s saving power through Christ's death and resurrection. How much more can we say to our souls, awake?
Homework this week—Read Psalm 57. Identify and acknowledge the difficult circumstances in your life that are driving you to cave hideaways. Cry out to God, who is able to save. Speak to your soul, and worship God in the middle of your cave.
Awake, my soul, and sing
Of Him who died for thee;
And hail Him as thy matchless King
Throughout eternity.
For more examples of Worshipping God in spite of hardship, read through the book of Lamentations, paying special attention to 3:19-26 as it relates to the rest of the book.
Even for all of King David’s mistakes, he was called "a man after God’s own heart." I think we catch a glimpse of that heart in this Psalm. David had been anointed as the next king of Israel, and the current king wasn't so thrilled about that. King Saul was out for blood, and would stop at nothing! David was a fugitive living on the run. At the time this was penned, he was spending his days hiding in a cave. If anyone had reason to be depressed, it was David. It seemed as though none of his dreams would ever be fulfilled. Everywhere he turned there were those who sought his life. He describes this world in verse four. "I am in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts—men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords." No one would blame him if worship wasn't the first thing on his mind. No one would blame him if he pointed his finger at God in frustration and shouted, "Why?!"
But David was a man after God’s own heart, and his response reflects that heart. Notice that he didn't sugar coat his circumstance, he voiced his frustration in those situations, but in the midst of that frustration he takes control of his response, "AWAKE, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn." He didn't allow his emotions to control his worship, rather he made his worship control his emotions!
We too face difficult circumstances. Our dreams seem like they will never be fulfilled. The loss of a job shakes our confidence and sends us into hiding. Disease threatens us with death, and we see time slipping away. All around us our enemies lurk in the shadows, waiting to destroy our hope, steal our peace, and kill our dreams. No one would blame us if we shook our fists at the heavens in frustration and shouted, "WHY?!"
When we come to these "cave moments" where our frustration and emotions run the highest, we do well to remember David. In these circumstances he called to mind the character of God. He spoke to his soul, addressed his emotions, and reminded them of the faithfulness and great love of God. "Awake, my soul!" We have something that David did not have! We have the knowledge of God’s saving power through Christ's death and resurrection. How much more can we say to our souls, awake?
Homework this week—Read Psalm 57. Identify and acknowledge the difficult circumstances in your life that are driving you to cave hideaways. Cry out to God, who is able to save. Speak to your soul, and worship God in the middle of your cave.
Awake, my soul, and sing
Of Him who died for thee;
And hail Him as thy matchless King
Throughout eternity.
For more examples of Worshipping God in spite of hardship, read through the book of Lamentations, paying special attention to 3:19-26 as it relates to the rest of the book.