What are the psalms of lament?

Answer

Bible scholars typically categorize the psalms by type or category, although they discuss the precise classifications, with some proposing more categories than others. Generally, there is a consensus on a system that includes at least these five types: psalms of lament, royal psalms, thanksgiving psalms, wisdom psalms, and a variety of smaller genres such as historical and prophetic psalms.

Lament is a prominent theme in the Bible, especially in the book of Psalms. To lament is to express profound sorrow, grief, or regret. The psalms of lament are eloquent poems or hymns that articulate human struggles. The psalms of lament constitute the largest category of psalms, comprising about one-third of the entire book of Psalms. These psalms are prayers that present a distressing situation to the Lord and request His assistance.

There are two types of lament psalms: community and individual. Community psalms of lament address situations of national crisis—they depict issues encountered by all the people of God. Psalm 12 is an illustration of a community lament, expressing sorrow over widespread sin: “Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race. Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts” (Psalm 12:1-2).

Individual laments deal with various isolated troubles—problems faced by individual members of the people of God. An example of an individual psalm of lament is Psalm 86, where David presents his needs before God: “Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; ruthless people are trying to kill me—they have no regard for you” «O God, the proud are risen against me, And the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; And have not set thee before them. », Psalm 86:14. There are forty-two individual psalms of lament and sixteen community or national psalms of lament.

The psalms of lament are poetic hymns meant to be sung to God. They address issues that have been and continue to be essential to the life of faith for individual believers and the entire community of faith. The lament psalms convey intense emotions, genuine human struggles, and the heartache experienced by the people of Israel as they practiced their faith both individually and collectively.

The men and women of the Old Testament were just as real as we are today. They danced and sang, rejoiced and laughed, argued and confessed, lamented and mourned. They poured out their emotions to God in prayer just as we do today. When we face challenging struggles and require God’s deliverance, salvation, and assistance, the psalms of lament are a valuable resource.

The great Protestant Reformer Martin Luther valued the psalms of lament. He remarked, “What is the greatest thing in the Psalter but this earnest speaking amid the storm winds of every kind? . . . Where do you find deeper, more sorrowful, more pitiful words of sadness than in the psalms of lamentation? There again you look into the hearts of the saints, as into death, yes, as into hell itself. . . . When they speak of fear and hope, they use such words that no painter could so depict for your fear or hope, and no Cicero or other orator has so portrayed them. And that they speak these words to God and with God, this I repeat, is the best thing of all. This gives the words double earnestness and life” (Word and Sacrament, Luther’s Works, vol. 1, ed. E. T. Bachmann. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1960, pp. 255–56).

Like the entire book of Psalms, the psalms of lament adhere to a structure that commences with suffering and culminates in glory. Typically, these songs begin with a negative, complaining tone but conclude with a positive, faith-filled tone.

A lament usually starts with an address. For instance, Psalm 44:1 simply states, “O Go

Psalm 13 starts with, “How long, Lord,” and Psalm 22 begins, “My God, my God.” A psalm of lament typically includes a complaint: “Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered” «Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; We are counted as sheep for the slaughter.», (Psalm 44:22). A plea to God for assistance is often present in a psalm of lament: “Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever” «Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? Arise, cast us not off for ever.», (Psalm 44:23). A psalm of lament may also express trust in God, frequently recalling His past acts of faithfulness: “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation” «But I have trusted in thy mercy; My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.», (Psalm 13:5). Lastly, a psalm of lament will include a joyful vow of praise to God: “I will sing the LORD’s praise, for he has been good to me” «I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.», (Psalm 13:6).