This psalm is concerned with the situation in which God does not seem to help his people. The author is arguing with God in the sense that he is providing reasons for the Lord to come to their aid.
The first argument that he uses is historical (vv. 1-3). He describes how accounts have been handed down from previous generations of the way that the Lord gave to them the land of Canaan. They did not win battles because they were superior militarily. Rather, the Lord gave it to them because he delighted in them.
The second argument that he uses is past personal experience (vv. 4-8). He mentions how he and others have the same outlook as those who were given Canaan, and had indeed experienced some divine help. Like them, he and his friends trusted only in the Lord and acknowledged that any victories only occurred because the Lord brought them about. When they had been given deliverances, they had praised God and thanked him for those expressions of divine help.
The third argument that he presents is current defeat and disgrace (vv. 9-16). The armies of Israel have been defeated and the country devastated. The inhabitants have been exiled and surrounding countries laugh at them. And the psalmist acknowledges that God has brought this about. The same power that helped his ancestors and even him and his friends previously has now been used against them. He is aware of the disgrace of the situation in which God’s people are powerless and are unable to do anything about the disaster.
The fourth argument that he uses is current personal devotion (vv. 17-22). He states that he and his friends have remained faithful to the covenant made with God and endeavoured to walk in his ways. They have not been like others who departed from God and worshipped idols. Yet despite their loyalty they are suffering for their dedication, with some experiencing death. Their commitment means nothing to those in power, although the implication is that he knows it means a great deal to God.
In verses 23-26, we have the psalmist’s appeal for divine action. He asks the Lord why he is sleeping. Of course, he knows God is awake, otherwise he would not send his prayer to him. But he speaks as to the situation seems to him. Not only does he say that God is sleeping, he also says that has chosen not to look at them and is forgetting about their needy circumstances. But he also knows about the Lord’s covenant love, his delight in mercy and his power to rescue his people. So he pleads powerfully.
What lessons come from this Psalm? One is to recognise the sovereignty of God when difficulties come. Another is to acknowledge the silence of God when we would prefer that he would make his actions obvious. Connected to that is the appropriateness of expressing our concerns to God with strength of feeling. Moreover we should know the history of God’s kingdom and use his previous actions as evidence of what we know he can do for his people. And we cannot assume that lives of devotion may not encounter profound problems in providence.
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