Shall I suffer in silence or express my anguish at the way my life is playing out? All of us have asked this question and David was no exception.
I said “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence.”
But when I was silent and still, not even saying anything good, my anguish increased. (vv 1-2)
The psalm expresses an acceptance of the fragility and brevity of life. In the eyes of God, our time on the earth is but a second. We who follow Christ can look forward to eternity but we still have apprehension about the end of our days. Will we worry constantly about it or simply accept it as a fact of our existence. And if we come to this acceptance, will it relieve us from our current travails? David explores this hope in prayer:
But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.
Save me from all my transgressions; do no make me the scorn of fools.
I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this. (vv 7-9)
Despite our broken natures, we beg for one more chance to praise the Lord before our time is extinguished.
Look away from me, that I may rejoice again before I depart and am no more. (v 13)
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LOVE | ACCEPT | FORGIVE 