(3) Sin, Suffering, Sorrow
(Worship Ideas)

 Think about it 

In my last column I noted how much of the Psalter is taken up with "laments" or "cries for mercy" and suggested that this was an important, but oft-neglected part of our worship. But what exactly do the laments do?

Why Cry for Mercy?

• Sin: some laments focus on confessing the sin of an individual or a group.
• Suffering: laments often cry out for deliverance from enemies and various sorts of suffering, both physical and spiritual.
• Sorrow: not only over suffering or our own sin, but about God's not being known or honored.

Note: mercy is all about relieving suffering, whether deserved or not. The cry for mercy asks God to relieve suffering caused by our own sin, by the sin of others, and by the general effects on the world or humanity's sin and rebellion. ("the Fall")

What does using the laments do for us?

• They tell the truth about our world since the fall.
• They remind us of the depths of our need and the world's, driving us to God's throne for the answer.
• They declare the cost of the Cross (consider Psalm 22).
• They teach us "the fellowship of his suffering" and how to face it (Phlp 3)
• They deepen our joy and celebration of our great salvation.