Psalms of praise are wonderful. In light of the torrents of suffering we endure, we fight to maintain a hope that can only be found in the Sovereign Lord. Praises help us do that.
However, Walter Brueggemann comments that while it is definitely admirable that the church strives to sustain hope in a fallen world, he is certain that this is not the reason why these “sad songs” are overlooked. In a compelling statement, he says,
“It is a curious fact that the church has by in large continued to sing [psalms of praise] in a world increasingly experienced as disorientated….It is my judgment that this action of the church is less an evangelical defiance guarded by faith, and much more a frightened dumb denial and deception that does not want to acknowledge or experience the disorientation of life. The reason for such relentless affirmation of orientation seems to come not from faith, but from the wishful optimism of our culture.” [Walter Brueggemann, The Message of the Psalms (Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1984), 51-52]
No one wants to be reminded of their sufferings. Even Jesus requested that the “cup” of the cross pass before Him (Matt 26:39). Brueggemann’s comment is an insightful observation on the human psyche. By primarily singing praises, we give the impression that this is the way life should be and thus encourage people to avoid/deny the horrors within it. The stark reality is that there is real suffering. These laments capture an emotional state that people know so well regardless of who they are, but try not to remember. We avoid them by avoiding these laments.
Think about it. When was the last time your church used a lament in worship? Consider the songs and hymns used in the worship of the church. I cannot think of one that captures the brokenness of our lives. Rarely do they lead God’s people to meditate on their sorrows. Yet, that is precisely what we need—to be led into worship while still in our laments where we can lift our cries to the Lord. By ignoring these “sad songs” we essentially are telling our people that they cannot bring such brokenness into worship! In reality, almost everyone comes to worship with some sense of struggle. Imagine a church that used laments regularly. They can bring their sorrow into worship and lift their hearts to the Lord in their lament. Worship can now minister to such broken people and lead them to the Lord of Glory who sympathizes with their sorrow (Heb 4:15).
While the desire to avoid dark times is understandable, it seems that the canonization of such “sad songs” are intended to do the opposite—to remind us of what we want to forget and to face what we do not want to confront. The psalmists who recorded their laments did not do so with a complaining heart, like Israel in the wilderness. Rather, these are desperate and prayerful cries to the Lord. Only by embracing these heartaches and lifting them to the Lord can we begin to understand them, possibly appreciate them, and ultimately give thanks for them. Thus, to sing these laments is a bold act of faith in the Lord because He is indeed greater than the most excruciating experiences (Jer. 32:17).
Redeeming Chillingworth 