“My soul melts away for sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word!” Psalm 119.28
In the depths of sorrow, the psalmist cries out to the Lord. We must keep the context in mind here. This cry of sorrow comes on the heels of confessing his ways to the Lord (26) and considering the precepts and works of God (27). Sorrow befits every human being considering his ways in light of God’s precepts and works. When we stand under the light of God’s righteousness, we should weep for our sin.
The God-honoring response to that sorrow is to appeal to the Lord for strength according to his righteous Word. This paints a picture of godly sorrow, grief that produces repentance (2 Cor. 7.10).
For every Christian, everyone who believes in Christ as Lord and savior, our sinful flesh brings profound grief. That grief must lead us to call out to God, that in his great kindness he would lead us to repentance. We, like the psalmist, must seek strength and guidance from his Word.
When you sin, how do you grieve over that sin? In your sorrow over sin, do you call on God for strength? How often does sorrow over your sin lead you to seek the Lord in faithful repentance? May we all feel a righteous grief over our sin and call upon the Lord for strength from Scripture.
Heavenly Father, for the sake of your great name, lead us in repentance. Cause our hearts to grieve deeply over our sin. Give us a genuine, godly sorrow that produces faithful repentance. Strengthen us according to your Word, O Lord. Amen.