Eugene Peterson wrote, "Most Christians for most of the Christian centuries have learned to pray by praying the Psalms. The Hebrews, with several centuries of a head start on us in matters of prayer and worship, provided us with this prayer book that gives us a language adequate for responding to the God who speaks to us."

In this series, we will consider how the Psalms teach us to worship and pray. The Psalms are a rich array of reflections on God's character, power, love, and activity in the world. They are also reflections of what it means for us to know, trust, and follow God. Written within the collection of Psalms, are words of praise, cries of help, expressions of anguish and of joy. How do we see our lives reflected in the words of the Psalms? How do the Psalms lead us to a deeper understanding of God enriching our worship of Him? How do the Psalms inform and guide us as we pray?

This week, Christy Davis explores grief and grieving through the lens of Psalm 88.

Note: Some of the lyrics from this week's song meditation might be difficult to hear clearly so we have included them here:

Psalm 88 by Poor Bishop Hooper

oh god of my salvation

i cry out day and night

may my prayer come now before you

would you listen to my cry

for my soul is full of troubles

and death it draws near

with no strength i'm like the slain in the grave

whom you no longer remember

darkness is my only friend

in the darkest places and the deeps

your wrath lies heavy upon me

you have overwhelmed me with your waves

i am trapped and i cannot escape

my eyes grow dim in sorrow every day i call to you

lord i open up my hands do you work wonders for the dead

do departed rise to praise you

does your love come from the grave

are your wonders known in abbadon or good where those forget?

darkness is my only friend

oh why do you hide your face from me

close to my demise since i was a kid

your wrath your assaults all surrounding

i suffer your horrors i'm desperate

darkness is my only friend