46 How long, O LORD? Will you hide yourself forever?
How long will your wrath burn like fire? – Does Ethan need to ask humbly if God will forgive the nation? If they recognize that they have done evil? If they are more than just sorry for the problems they find themselves in but truly repentant? Is Ethan still seeing that it is all God’s fault?
47 Remember how short my time is! – Does this indicate self-centredness?
For what vanity you have created all the children of man! – This is not phrased as a question but an accusation! It is my impression that vanity has a different meaning when used about 3,000 years ago from when used now. I asked Wikipedia the meaning of vanity then as used in the Bible and what does it mean now. Here are the answers. 1. ‘In the Old Testament, particularly Ecclesiastes, “vanity” translates the Hebrew word ‘hebel’, meaning “breath,” “vapor,” or “mist”. It refers to things that are fleeting, incomprehensible, or futile, rather than just conceit. It describes life’s transience, the inevitability of death, and the seeming meaninglessness of striving for earthly things without God.’ 2. ‘Vanity these days primarily refers to excessive pride, admiration, or obsession with one’s own appearance, achievements, or image, often heightened by social media. It implies a preoccupation with others’ opinions and a desire for validation. It also describes futile or worthless pursuits, and refers to a dressing table with mirrors. The two meanings are very different!
48 What man can live and never see death?
Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah – On thinking about it surely we are expected to answer that we all die and no one is good enough to meet God’s holy standards!
49 Lord, where is your steadfast love of old,
which by your faithfulness you swore to David? – Ethan do you think that God, like we old people, has a good ‘forgettery? 50 Remember, O Lord, how your servants are mocked, and how I bear in my heart the insults of all the many nations,
51 with which your enemies mock, O LORD,
with which they mock the footsteps of your anointed.
52 Blessed be the LORD forever! – Is this said in frustrated hope or in simple faith?
Amen and Amen.
Assessment: It seems to me that having thought about it seriously Ethan has seen that he has to cry out in simple trust that God will see what is going on and act! He is desperate but cries out with childlike trust. ‘My God, please do something!’
It is so much easier for us because we have seen the Messiah who has come and at least heard of the everlasting King on the throne in heaven! We await for the denouement of the return of the Messiah King to the earth! I happily say ‘Amen and Amen’!
Proverbs 19: 21 – Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.
Prayer: ‘My God, please do something!’ We have made a mess and we are truly sorry.