You know, one of the things that has to draw you to the Psalms is the honesty found in them. Sure, there’s a lot of “feel good” lift your hands to heaven lyrics in these ancient songs, but there’s a lot of dark stuff too. If you think about it in types of music, there’s both “praise and worship” and “the blues.” David and the other writers of the Psalms weren’t afraid to ask the tough questions . . . they didn’t “fake it” and put on a happy face when life was kicking them in the teeth. But, they also didn’t wallow in “the blues” . . . they didn’t understand God in the context of “the blues” . . . instead, they put “the blues” in the context of their God. Case in point? Psalm 10 . . .

“Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do you hide in times of trouble?” (Ps. 10:1)

Ok, so how’s that for putting it out there? When’s the last time you heard that “sentence prayer” uttered at small group? Whose gonna cut a Christian CD with those “pick me up” lyrics or dare to even reveal they’re thinking such things about God? In fact, you might wince if you heard a brother or sister pray, “GOD, are you avoiding me? Where are you when I need you?” (MSG). Can you say that to God? Apparently so. And if we’re honest, isn’t there something in our core which relates to times when such sentiments surface? Either times when we’re suffering at the hands of some unjust person for no apparent reason . . . or times when we look out at the what’s going on in the world around us and the suffering caused by injustice at large . . . and wonder, where is He?

For the majority of this “blue-sie song” the psalmist dumps his observations into some pretty “downer” lyrics . . . “the wicked in his pride persecutes the poor . . . he blesses the greedy and renounces the Lord . . . God is in none of his thoughts . . . his way are always prospering . . . his mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression . . . under his tongue is trouble and iniquity . . . he murders the innocent . . . fixed on the helpless . . . he lies in wait to catch the poor . . . he has said in his heart, ‘God has forgotten, He hides His face, He will never see’ . . . he has said in his heart, ‘[God] will not require an account” (10:2-13). Lord, why do You remain distant from the situation? Why do You conceal Yourself amidst such distress? You’re not gonna find this tunage on iTunes’ featured song of the week, are you?

Then, in verse 14, there’s that three letter, game-changing, word. That word which serves to take the earthly and place it in context of the heavenly. That word which elevates the mind above the perception based on circumstances to the reality based on the character of Almighty God, the Father. That three letter word? “B, U, T!”

“But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief . . . You are the helper of the fatherless . . . The Lord is King forever and ever . . . You have heard the desire of the humble . . . You will strengthen their heart . . . You do incline Your ear . . . there will come a time when You will bring about justice for the fatherless and oppressed . . . a time when the man of the earth will oppress no more.” (10:14-18)

It’s ok to sing the blues from time to time. Not in a self-pitying sense, but in a sense of just honestly coming before God when things aren’t making much sense and expressing the barrenness of heart that is being felt . . . or the confusion . . . or the “I’m so tired” feelings of being overwhelmed. However, at some point in our song . . . at some point in our “blue-sie tune” . . . we need to engage mind over heart and utter that three letter word . . . “but.”

God is not defined by our situation . . . instead, our situation needs always to be put in light of who God is and what we know to be true about Him. The promises of God need to be applied to the pressures of life . . . faith needs to be exercised where feelings of futility prevail. He does hear . . . He will encourage and strengthen. “God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1Cor. 10:13 NIV). And even in the midst of storm and trial, in the midst of things not seeming fair or making sense . . . when, through the Spirit, we remind our hearts of who God is . . . then the blues give way to the praise and worship . . . and the barrenness is replaced by the blessing of knowing that He is near and His hand is on our life . . . and we get strength for the day . . . and He gets the glory forever . . . amen!