
There is something to that concept. I've had cathartic experiences. It's why I tend to turn to chick flicks when I'm sad or such. I can cry over the pain of a character, or cheer up with someone else's joy when I'm low, and I feel better. I express an emotion inside me through relating with a piece of art...
I think that's what is going on with this Psalm... I mean, I think it was a genuine portrayal of David's emotions when he wrote it. But I think it's been written to let us express the impatient anguish of the first few lines with David... and then resolve it with the last verse, proclaiming "But I have trusted in Your Mercy..."
Check out the Psalm below. And remember, tomorrow is the link up! I've decided you can pick any Psalm, 1-14 (instead of just 8-14) and we'll continue on like that, so that the last week you can pick any Psalm at all. Sounds fun, right?
How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart daily?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and hear me, O LORD my God;
Enlighten my eyes,
Lest I sleep the sleep of death;
Lest my enemy say,
“I have prevailed against him”;
Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
But I have trusted in Your mercy;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.
How long will You hide Your face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart daily?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and hear me, O LORD my God;
Enlighten my eyes,
Lest I sleep the sleep of death;
Lest my enemy say,
“I have prevailed against him”;
Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
But I have trusted in Your mercy;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.
I agree. We use movies and tv like they did back then to get our emotions out. Sometimes we need our emotions jacked up lol.
ReplyDelete~Kelly
I think I'm the kind of person who NEEDS cathartic experiences in stories... I like "getting the sad out" at the movies rather than in socially inappropriate settings. I like seeing characters overcome things... and we do definitely see a lot of David overcoming with God's grace in Psalms.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm sorry for not calling you back today... I want to call you now, but I feel like it would be rude to call someone's house so late! So also, if you happen to be available.... I'm not going to bed yet.
Emily