Even if you feel like you're in Hell, pray

Psalm 88 is an unusual one. A lot of Psalms may include despair, but often include words of hope or encouragement. Psalm 88, by contrast, is almost purely about the anguish felt by the Psalmist. He seems to be begging God to hear him. He's at the end of his rope. He's been praying and praying, but without answer. He feels ignored, and actually says "your wrath weighs heavily on me; you have overwhelmed me with all your waves." This, he follows up with the word "Selah".

The word "Selah" is used for emphasis. It indicates that we are supposed to pay special attention to this thought. The Psalmist wants us to really think about the wrath he feels God has overwhelmed him with. We are supposed to empathise with the Psalmist. And how many of us can? Haven't we all experienced something in life that feels like the very wrath of God?

But what else do we notice about this Psalm? It is still a Psalm. Athanasius of Alexandria once said "Most of Scripture speaks to us, but the Psalms speak for us". And this is true. Most of Scripture is written to the audience, but the Psalms are written as prayers to God. And so what we can learn from Psalm 88 is that even in the worst times of life, even if we feel like our eyes are worn out from crying to God day and night, even if we feel like God Himself is actually bringing His wrath against us, we can still pray.

In the hopelessness of Psalm 88, the Psalmist never stops relying on God. Though Psalm 88 offers no comfort explicitly, there is implicit comfort in that God is very very close to all of us. In the good times, He is there. In the bad times, He is there. When we feel His presence, He is there. When we feel like we are literally in Sheol, God is right there, suffering alongside us, and we can actually continue to pray. And it doesn't even have to involve direct praise. It is ok to vent to God. It is ok to tell God you are not ok. It is ok to tell God what your problems are, and how they are affecting you, and you can even tell Him you are tired of praying. Because He knows. And He cares. And my brethren, He will put everything right in the end.

Recommended song: Out of Hell - Skillet