THE PSALMIST FELT downcast and in turmoil (vv.5a, 6a, 11a). He was emotionally distressed and overwhelmed (v.7). Verses 3, 9 and 10 tell us that God had not answered his prayers and delivered him from the enemy’s oppression. God seemed to have forgotten him. Consequently, the Psalmist was continually taunted by his adversaries and felt unceasing torment in his soul. How did the Psalmist respond? He longed for God like a deer longed for streams of water (vv.1-2). He poured out his deep and honest feelings to God (v.4a). He encouraged himself to hope in God (vv.5, 11). He recalled God’s loyal love for him, even though he was really struggling in life (vv.6-9). God faithfully showed His steadfast love to the Psalmist and gave him songs in the night (v.8). God’s words comforted him and enabled him to pray. In this way, the Psalmist kept trusting in God even though deliverance had not taken place. The psalm did not conclude with a nicely packaged ending. There was no answered prayer and miraculous deliverance from his adversities. Yet the Psalmist declared that his hope is in God, whom he knows personally (“my salvation”, “my God”, “the God of my life” and “my rock”, vv.5b-6a, 8b, 9a, 11b). Even though the Psalmist’s problems remained, he nonetheless declared, “I shall again praise Him” (vv.5b, 11b). Despite our prolonged, perplexing and distressing situations in life, let us likewise continue to pour out our soul in prayer to God, put our hope in Him and praise Him who is our salvation and our God. The Lord is with us and will see us through!