The Power of Praise in Times of Grief - 2 Samuel 20-24

2 Samuel 22:1-4 (ESV)

And David spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said,

“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,

my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,

my shield, and the horn of my salvation,

my stronghold and my refuge,

my savior; you save me from violence.

I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,

and I am saved from my enemies.

The above passage is the beginning of a long song written by David. It was composed after he returned to Jerusalem, after the rebellion of his son Absalom was defeated.  There is both a sad moment in this season of David’s life (his son has died in this rebellion against his father), but also the kingdom is restored for God’s honor.    It is in this time of trauma and grief that David writes.  He composes the above lines that are found in many of his songs and prayers recorded in the book of Psalms.  David is expressing his praise and thanks to God for the way God has delivered him. He is hurting, no doubt. The loss of Absalom was devastating, as the loss of any son would be to a father.   The fact that it happened in a rebellious state for Absalom only would magnify the grief.   Yet, David finds a way to praise and thank God.   This is the glorious way we can handle our own pain and suffering during times of trauma and grief.  Giving God praise and adoration during our grief is the best antidote for grief.  Our bodies are an amazing creation by God.  He actually created us so that our minds can’t have hold both worry and thanksgiving at the same time.   At this point, David probably doesn’t know the physiology of man’s mind.  But God sure does.  Placing praise and thanksgiving into David’s heart at this point was an act of God’s sovereign grace in David’s life.  Allowing God to fill us with praise during our hurt is a way God heels us of that very hurt.   Sing praises to God in the midst of trauma and grief.  You may not feel like it at first. But the way created us makes it a contagious and impactful therapy that is God ordained.