Psalms And Depression
Psalm 34: The Lord Helps the BrokenheartedThe Lord is close to the brokenhearted ?and saves those who are crushed in spirit. –Psalm 34:18When we are depressed we feel isolated and without anything or anyone who is on our side or who understands us. One of the greatest struggles for those who are depressed is this feeling of abandonment, rejection, and isolation. No one is near us or understands us.Reading the book of Psalms while depressed can be a helpful exercise. We will have to say no to our depressed spirit and suffer the pain of doing something that weakens our dark mood, but such sacrifices are the only way out of the darkness. Many have found that reading the Psalms found in the Bible can bring great relief to the soul.In this Psalm we have King David running from a son who has betrayed and rebelled against him. David has lost his throne because of his sin and this is brought about by the sins of his son.The Psalm is split into two great divisions at the close of Psalms 34:10 , when the Psalmist having expressed his praise to God turns in direct address to men. The first ten verses are A HYMN, and the last twelve A SERMON. For further assistance to the reader we may subdivide thus: In Psalms 34:1-3 , David vows to bless the Lord, and invites the praise of others; from Psalms 34:4-7 he relates his experience, and in Psalms 34:8-10 exhorts the godly to constancy of faith. In Psalms 34:11-14 , he gives direct exhortation, and follows it up by didactic teaching from Psalms 34:15-22 to the close.(see )Our focus today is on verse 18. David is broken hearted. He has lost a kingdom and a son. The work of his hands and a son he loved does not love him. This is a moment of great pain. Brokenhearted and crushed what does one do? David reminds himself of a simple but profound truth.YAHWEH, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is קָרוֹב qarowb. This Hebrew word implies that the true infinite, all powerful, wise, and loving maker of all things and redeemer of sinners is intimately close and ready to give aid to us in desperate times when we are in emotional crisis. At those times of deepest and most profound lost we are not alone or without a comforter. The LORD is with us! The LORD is the one who will deliver us from our darkness, despair, and inward devastation.The LORD does this is by not allowing any circumstances to separate us from the Divine love found in Christ Jesus. Nothing in heaven or earth can separate me from God's love in Christ Jesus. If Christ Jesus died for me then what will God hold back from me that is ultimately for my good?The LORD is not offended by us being broken hearted and crushed. God is not embarrassed by our weakness. Jesus is not angry with us for being weak. The Lord embraces us most tenderly and strongly at our most desperate moments.So are you brokenhearted and crushed? Then know the Lord is near to love you and aid you to get through this dark time. Jesus does understand for he was brokenhearted and crushed as well. The LORD does know how you feel and cares about your pain. You are not alone. You are not abandoned. You are not rejected. You are embraced by the ONE who is LOVE.Focus on this truth an allow it to bring hope to you at your most hopeless moments.Read more: