SHOW NOTES:
In Podcast Episode 155, “Biblical Lament: Singing the Blues Heavenward,” Kim discusses the song of lament written by David regarding the deaths of King Saul and his soul friend Jonathan. The book of Psalms contains many individual and communal laments, ones that can lend words to our own bluesy feelings. The laments are also helpful for putting words to our previously unspoken prayers.
The primary scripture texts for this episode are 2 Samuel 1:17-27 with 17-18 as the focal verses.
17 Then David composed a funeral song for Saul and Jonathan, 18 and he commanded that it be taught to the people of Judah. It is known as the Song of the Bow, and it is recorded in The Book of Jashar.
ADDITIONAL VERSES:
1 After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David. 2 From that day on Saul kept David with him and wouldn’t let him return home. 3 And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. 4 Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt. (1 Samuel 18:1-4)
8 O my people, trust in him at all times.
Pour out your heart to him,
for God is our refuge. (Psalm 62:8)
23 Wake up, O Lord! Why do you sleep?
Get up! Do not reject us forever.
24 Why do you look the other way?
Why do you ignore our suffering and oppression?
25 We collapse in the dust,
lying face down in the dirt.
26 Rise up! Help us!
Ransom us because of your unfailing love. (Ps. 44:23-26)
1 I cry out to the Lord;
I plead for the Lord’s mercy.
2 I pour out my complaints before him
and tell him all my troubles.
3 When I am overwhelmed,
you alone know the way I should turn.
Wherever I go,
my enemies have set traps for me.
4 I look for someone to come and help me,
but no one gives me a passing thought!
No one will help me;
no one cares a bit what happens to me.
5 Then I pray to you, O Lord.
I say, “You are my place of refuge.
You are all I really want in life.
6 Hear my cry,
for I am very low.
Rescue me from my persecutors,
for they are too strong for me.
7 Bring me out of prison
so I can thank you.
The godly will crowd around me,
for you are good to me.” (Ps. 142:1-7)
Weekly Assignment Feature:
Write a lament, either on behalf of yourself or on behalf of someone else.
Additional Resources:
How to Write Your Own Psalm of Lament by Rev. Dr. Carol Bechtel. [1. Protest; 2. Petition; 3. Praise]
Lament: A Path to Healing by Desert Streams Christian Counseling
“5 Psalms of Lament to Remind Us We Are Not Alone” by Jessica Brodie
“Learning to Lament: 4 Lessons from Psalms” by Christina Fox
“Psalms of Lament: Individual and Communal” by Ken Boa
“Praying the Bible” by Donald S. Whitney
Lament - “an expression of grief or sorrow;” “a formal expression of sorrow or mourning, especially in verse or song; an elegy or dirge.” (dictionary.com)
Blues - “a song often of lamentation characterized by usually 12-bar phrases, 3-line stanzas in which the words of the second line usually repeat those of the first, and continual occurrence of blue notes in melody and harmony;” “jazz or popular music using harmonic and phrase structures of blues.” from Merriam-Webster.com
Broken Hallelujah, sung by Mandisa
For more on the Overcast podcast app, go to https://overcast.fm/
I WANT TO BEGIN A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST.
RESOURCES USED FOR BOOK OF 1 & 2 Samuel PODCASTS:
“The Wiersbe Bible Commentary: The Complete Old Testament OT in One Volume”
“The Tony Evans Bible Commentary: Advancing God’s Kingdom Agenda”
“Life Application Study Bible”
“The Swindoll Study Bible: NLT” by Charles R. Swindoll
Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary
Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Samuel (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) by J. D. Greear, Heath A. Thomas
“The Baker Illustrated Bible Background Commentary” by J
