one hit wonder

If you were to write one song (or poem), what would it be like? What message would you want to leave the world? What if you knew that your work would be preserved in the national annals and be read by religious scholars, seekers, pastors and the like for centuries to come?

These thoughts come to mind when I consider Psalm 88. On close reading we find that it was composed by Heman the Ezrahite. I love Heman the Ezrahite - I find that I can't quite get enough of him. Actually, this is the only writing that we have which is attributed to him. Fortunately for us, it is not the only piece of information we know about him. 1 Kings 4:31 tells us that Heman (or He-Man, as referred to by those of the female persuasion) was famed for his musical leadership and his wisdom (even though Ethan the Ezrahite seemed to be just a bit wiser).

And the one piece that we have from him is often considered to be the saddest prayer in Psalms.* Throughout it speaks of his sleepless nights, the encroaching shadows, the apparent victory of death, and the fact that his cry has gone on unanswered. Perhaps this is why they didn't ask him to write another psalm! In fact, there isn't even an ending of assurance or praise or "everything's-gonna-be-alright." Even so it does not appear that our hero has given up. For the suffering he endures is not because his life is worthless. He recognizes that God has a place for him and this provides his drive to struggle with his face rather than abandon it.

Such an openness and honesty allows He-Man to grow and struggle. He does not take the opportunity to tell his god where to stuff this life, but looks to him for answers to his situation. And he does not back down from asking hard or 'embarrasing' questions (i.e., "Where are you, God, in the middle of all of this?") for he realizes that these matters cannot be swept under the rug. The lesson we gain from this individual is that recognition and "right-religion" do not account for the totality of this life. And perhaps we should be working to make our song not so much a perfect and majestic hymn for the ages, but live our life to cry the name of the one who loves us most.





*cf. Derek Kidner, Psalms 73-150 (Downers Grove: IVP, 1973), 316.