Psalm 89:46

Psalm 89:46

How long?

It is quite normal for us humans to cry out, “How long” when we are in the midst of trials of any kind. Yes, it is an impatient cry and yes, in this context it is a complaint against the Lord. Ethan still feels that an injustice has been done, that the circumstances could be very different if the Lord God took control. There is deep anguish behind this cry but also a sense of hope, as we saw in verse 45. When we cry, “how long” we are assuming that eventually help will come. 

I have to say that I have been surprised by the boldness of the psalm writers at times, they tend to shout at the Lord the way a truculent child will demand a response from its parents! I don’t know about you, but I’ve been through some pretty horrendous trials in my life and I never dared to demand “how long” of the Lord nor did a dare accuse Him of hiding Himself away! This has overtones of Him being cowardly or of not wanting to get involved! How dare men speak to God in such ways?

Well, Ethan now reveals his deepest fear, that the disasters suffered by his people are the result of God’s wrath and the destructive forces have still not burned out. However, we have learned before in the Psalms that God’s wrath is linked entirely to His righteousness, that he is not operating here in a fit of pique but so that sin can be eradicated and punished for all time. God awaits the moment when men will turn back to Him in repentance and be willing to acknowledge His sovereignty and His holiness. That is “how long” it will take. 

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