Read Psalm 13

“I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.” — Psalm 13:6

May we lend our ears to the example of David who found extraordinary strength in singing to the LORD. He penned these words from the depths of his heart, and surprisingly, these precious words are found at the conclusion of a Psalm that is full of sorrow, doubt, and fear.

The Psalm begins with a gut-wrenching question:

“How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?” (Psalm 13:1)

David was never one to hold back his emotions and express exactly what he was feeling — even if it was extreme and inaccurate. It was his double-edged sword. On the razor edge of one side, David appears unstable as water and often led into a ditch of emotions where there was no way out. But praise God that on the acute edge of the other side, David always aligned his emotions with truth about God!

Perhaps you’ve felt this way — perhaps even now. Your emotions have you digging your own grave of depression and you feel that God has abandoned you to your circumstances. Dear friend, you are in good company. There is no trial that has overtaken you except such is common to man, even a man like the mighty King David.

But, remember the promise: God is faithful!

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful…” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

You must have more fervor for God’s Truth than you do for your own feelings. When the storm rages, you must choose to stand on the faithfulness of God, even as Peter did when he stepped out of the boat and onto the waves to meet Jesus. When the sun sets, you must find your rest in the promises of God knowing that He cares for you.

But How? How do we overcome our own despair and stand on the truth of God? The answer is simple. We do what David did. We sing to the Lord! — and we sing about His grace toward us! Take note of our verse once more:

“I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.” — Psalm 13:6

If you do this, the miry clay will never hold you, but you will leap out of the pit in the joy of the Lord! As deep as the valley of your emotions may take you, singing to the Lord will immediately transport you to the heights of God’s transcendent goodness. Is it any wonder that we are commanded to sing to our God no less than 150 times throughout all of Scripture?

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:16)

Beloved, do you sing to the Lord? Is there a hymn ready at the tip of your tongue? Is there a song of praise beating in your heart? Make it your daily principle to sing to our Savior. Let the joy of the Lord be your strength and He will turn your mourning into dancing (see Nehemiah 8:10; Psalm 30:11). And whenever you find yourself not knowing what to do — just sing!

“Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works!” (Psalm 105:2)

“Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.” (Psalm 147:1)

“Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth…” (Psalm 149:5–6)