Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem
This Psalm is another "Lamentation" in Asaph's unique style. In today's world, we have nothing similar. The closest thing, perhaps, would be "Singing The Blues", or the infamous quote from "Conan The Barbarian" about seeing "your enemies driven before you, and hearing the lamentations of their women", but it is NOT the same. The Lamentations in the Bible do not contain despair, nor are they the whining complaints from someone who has lost their Faith. There is a reason that St. Thomas Aquinas included "Despair" (meaning the total loss of faith in God) in his list of the "Seven Deadly Sins".
Although some of Asaph's lamentations can get pretty dark (and those were dark days, believe me!), every one of them turns on a dime and expresses hope and Faith in the One True God for Salvation and Deliverance.
Even the Book of the Lamentations of Jeremiah has a verse right in the middle that has become the inspiration for two great modern hymns:
Lamentations 3:22-23English Standard Version (ESV)
22
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Come and Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.
God Bless America!
Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.
This Symbol Represents Christians in The Middle East, who desperately need our Prayers.
Hallelujah and Amen
ML/LTOS