Love Song



Psa 88:18  Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into 

darkness. 



	All of Ps. 88 is the cry of one before Christ who felt He had given His whole 

life to the pursuit of God without reward or success. The psalmist just couldn't seem to 

find a single positive thing about his life and, because everything about God was 

associated with the circumstances of life, there was no answer found in the cries for 

help from God. He found no fulfillment or victory in God's presence, only frustration 

from the disappointments of life. Everything seems so pointless here in this passage, 

especially contrasted with the promise of glory that is ours in Christ. In Him we're assured

that He will never leave or forsake us, but that He will be with us to the end of the world. 

(Mat. 28:20) In Him we have a light of hope and joy that goes with us even 

to the darkest pit and we never have to want for a song of victory.

	This psalm is a terrible lament of one who has become discouraged in 

their pursuit of help from God. From this there is a display of one who hasn't found 

their everything in the presence of Almighty God. What is sad about this to me is that 

it is quite often the theme of the song of many that would consider themselves to be 

saved. There is such a dependence on circumstances for verification or validation of 

God that there is never satisfaction and fulfillment in the very Presence that will 

never leave them. They have well-honored examples of moments experienced in His 

presence which they consider to have been special visitations from God. While those moments were 

wonderful, the majority of life for them is just unbearable with all its misery and despair. I'm 

so thankful, though, that we can experience the joy of His presence at all times and 

without interruption. Jesus is just like He said, always there ready to make a 

difference and to, more than anything else, provide the joy and security of His very 

presence. 

	Having given themselves completely to preaching the message of Christ and 

serving God with their whole hearts, Paul and Silas found themselves in jail with 

their hands and feet bound. (Acts 16) For many this might have been the opportunity 

to flip over to Psalm 88 and begin to sing the song of despair. What good is there in 

serving God if this is all you get as a reward? Paul and Silas, though, had found their 

victory to be in something other than their circumstances or their surroundings. 

Their Victory went with them wherever they might go and was defined by the reality of His 

presence rather than what they might be going through. In their song selection, then,

they didn't even consider Ps. 88, but went right to Ps. 89-"Your love, God, is my song, and

I'll sing it! I'm forever telling everyone how faithful your are." 

	There has been given us the inspiration for a song of life and joy and peace in 

the Love of God. This inspiration requires no support from the circumstances of life, 

but is completely sustained by the wonder of His presence. When this song is sung, 

instead of the oft-requested song of defeat, there is a power made available to us that 

begins to effect our every circumstance. Bondages are broken, sickness is removed 

and we are surrounded with a family of those who have also found this victory in 

Him. We are never alone and we are never without a victory song. All we have to do 

is let it be sung. 


3/25/04