Singing in the Storm
Part of A Deeper Response to the Scripture

Sermon Title: Singing in the Storm
Scripture: Psalm 34:1-10 (NIV)

Contributed by David Buschart

“I will extol the Lord at all times.” —Psalm 34:1

Confession: I am wary of extremes. By both temperament and beliefs, I tend to be uncomfortable with, even suspicious of, extremes. (Or at least what I consider to be “extremes.”) Rather, I am attracted to and generally pursue “moderation,” always wanting to be “careful” … including being careful not to slip into extremes.

Because of this, many biblical passages are very challenging for me. Think of examples in the Bible such as Abraham “sacrificing” Isaac (Gen 22) or the death-defying boldness of apostles Stephen and Paul (Acts 7, and 21-28). These are just some instances of what can rightly be regarded as extreme faith. I often find myself challenged, a little uncomfortable, in the book of Psalms. Uncomfortable in the book of Psalms of all things.

For many of us, Psalms is perhaps the quintessential book of comfort and reassurance. When Christians are fearful or hurting, it is quite good to turn to a cherished Psalm. “The LORD is my shepherd…” (Ps 23), he “delivered me from death” (Ps 56). So why would the Psalms sometimes be challenging, even somewhat discomforting?

Psalm 34 is one of hundreds of biblical passages that are genuinely extreme. These verses model and give expression to extreme faith. Extreme faith in God. Ponder the language, the specific words used to describe the experience of and the beliefs of the psalmist David. Consider again the opening words of Psalm 34.

David’s faith is extreme with regard to time. The Psalm begins with “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.” Describing those who entrust themselves to God, David testifies that “their faces are never covered with shame.” (v. 5) While this Psalm arises from a particular historical context, the commitment of its author extends beyond that specific context to God’s gracious presence and work “at all times.

David’s faith extends to the full extent of all sorts of needs and situations. He testifies that the Lord delivered him from “all my fears” (v. 4) and saved another faithful God-follower from “all his troubles” (v. 6). David assures those who fear the Lord that they will “lack nothing” (v. 9), that they will “lack no good thing” (v. 10). David’s faith fully extends not only to all times but to all of the needs of God’s people.

The character of David’s worship of God corresponds to his extreme confidence in God. And perhaps here in particular we need to open ourselves to hearing afresh the language of worship in this psalm … language not of moderation but lavish in devotion. The psalm opens with “I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.” It continues, “I will glory in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice” (v. 2), followed by “let us exalt his name together.” (v. 3). David proclaims that “the faces” of those who earnestly follow the Lord “are never covered with shame” but rather “are radiant” (v. 5).

The book of Psalms is a book of poetry, so we must not impose our own well-intended but inappropriate literalness or absoluteness on David’s poetic expression of life with God. Psalm 34 is not a promise that God’s people will be extracted from the realities of this world and thereby fully exempt from any and all trials of any kind. It does, however, clearly point us in a specific direction—namely, Godward. And it calls us to a particular posture—namely, submission to and abiding trust in the sovereign Lord. Our most extreme storms will never be too extreme for our God. So, may our trust in and worship of God be … extreme.

Consider

╬ What is the most significant “storm” currently challenging, even threatening, you? Your household? Our society? What word or phrase in Psalm 34 might be a word of God’s grace and provision for weathering this storm?

╬ How would you honestly describe your worship of the Living God? Is it worship of moderation? Or is your worship lavish, inspired by abiding trust and deep gratitude?

╬ Thank you, Father, that you are a God of extremes. You are all-knowing, all-wise, all-powerful, ever faithful. By your Spirit guide me into extreme trust in you. Enable me to trust in you as Christ trusted in you. Amen.