When Despondent – The Presidential Prayer Team

Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help. – Psalm 28:2

Psalm 88 is probably the most melancholy of all the Psalms. It is a lament, and the psalmist, Heman the Ezrahite, is completely and utterly overwhelmed. He has gone from depression to despondency. Heman is the grandson of Samuel, the prophet, He was called “the singer” and was one of the three chief musicians during the reign of King David. The British Old Testament scholar and commentary writer Derek Kidner said, “There is no sadder prayer in the Psalter. Here, as with other laments, the reader’s part need not be that of spectator, whatever his current mood, but that of comparison in prayer to the depressed or outcast people whose state of mind the psalmist puts into words: words which are for use.”

The prayer of this psalm makes it clear, however, that Heman absolutely trusts in God. He describes God as the one who saves “me,” not just other people. He prays because he believes that God is the Source of compassion.

What can you learn from this Psalm for the times when you may feel despondent? First of all, be real with God—He knows all of it anyhow, including how hard your life may be and how He intends for you to grow through trials. Know that God has your future well in hand, and He listens to your pleas. His purpose is for you to be steadfast in your prayer life under every circumstance (Philippians 4:6).

In the same way, if you are feeling despair over the circumstances in a nation that seems to be drifting farther and farther from God, bring that to Him also. Meditate on Lamentations 3:22-23, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” As you pray, trust God today with America’s future.

Today’s Verse: Psalm 28:2

Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy,
    when I cry to you for help,
when I lift up my hands
    toward your most holy sanctuary

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Philippians 1:3-11

³I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, ⁴always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, ⁵because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. ⁷It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. ⁸For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. ⁹And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.