Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;
protect me from those who rise up against me;
deliver me from those who work evil,
and save me from bloodthirsty men.
—Psalm 59:1–2
The rejected ruler seeks the life of God’s chosen one while the chosen one seeks refuge in His God. Again, we have the king in a state of humiliation, crying out to God for deliverance. This is God’s King. This is not how we expect to find him. He has been anointed, but not exalted. In his victory over the giant and his triumphs over the Philistines, something of his might has been seen, but it is this that provokes the jealousy of Saul and sends the shepherd boy back into the hills, but this time as a vagabond.
As we read through the gospels, this is how we find God’s King. He is anointed but not yet exalted. Something of His glory is manifest, but these wonders provoke the jealousy of the powers that be. He wanders, with no place to lay His head. And in this state, the King laments. Isaiah wrote of Him, “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not” (Isaiah 53:3). This is God’s way. He brings His King to exaltation through humiliation.
God’s innocent King laments for what He is certain of. Through lament comes this expression of confidence. Often I’ve said that lament is weak faith crying out towards the strength of confidence and assurance. But when we look to the King crying out, we know His faith was perfect. He poured out His soul in faith, and having poured out His soul, He took faith in the God He poured His heart out to.
Even for He who had perfect faith, lament was the way towards confidence. Saints, because God’s King prayed this prayer, you may too.
O my Strength, I will watch for you,
for you, O God, are my fortress.
My God in his steadfast love will meet me;
God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.
—Psalm 59:9–10
Here is your confidence. God has heard your King. God’s unfailing steadfast covenant love is plain in this, Jesus has looked in triumph on His enemies. Lament. But learn to lament like the King. Lament not only seeking strong faith. Lament with strong faith. Do not just grow strong in faith through lament. Grow in lamenting with strong faith.
No Other Boast 