Psalm 192 from Beyond Psalm 150
Jeremiah, God’s prophet, proclaims his Lord’s words. When Pashhur, the priest in charge of the temple, hears Jeremiah predicting destruction, he has the prophet beaten and thrown in stocks for a day.
Upon his release, Jeremiah foretells that because Pashhur prophesied lies, he, his family, and all who listen to him will be exiled to Babylon, where they will die.
After this bold declaration, Jeremiah pens this psalm of despair.
Yahweh, you have persuaded me, and I was persuaded.
Jeremiah 20:7–18 (WEB)
You are stronger than I, and have prevailed.
I have become a laughingstock all day.
Everyone mocks me.
For as often as I speak, I cry out;
I cry, “Violence and destruction!”
because Yahweh’s word has been made a reproach to me,
and a derision, all day.
If I say, I will not make mention of him,
or speak any more in his name,
then there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary with holding it in.
I can’t.
For I have heard the defaming of many,
“Terror on every side!
Denounce, and we will denounce him!”
say all my familiar friends,
those who watch for my fall.
“Perhaps he will be persuaded,
and we will prevail against him,
and we will take our revenge on him.”
But Yahweh is with me as an awesome mighty one.
Therefore my persecutors will stumble,
and they won’t prevail.
They will be utterly disappointed,
because they have not dealt wisely,
even with an everlasting dishonor which will never be forgotten.
But Yahweh of Armies, who tests the righteous,
who sees the heart and the mind,
let me see your vengeance on them,
for I have revealed my cause to you.
Sing to Yahweh!
Praise Yahweh,
for he has delivered the soul of the needy from the hand of evildoers.
Cursed is the day in which I was born.
Don’t let the day in which my mother bore me be blessed.
Cursed is the man who brought news to my father, saying,
“A boy is born to you,” making him very glad.
Let that man be as the cities which Yahweh overthrew,
and didn’t repent.
Let him hear a cry in the morning,
and shouting at noontime;
because he didn’t kill me from the womb.
So my mother would have been my grave,
and her womb always great.
Why did I come out of the womb to see labor and sorrow,
that my days should be consumed with shame?
Reflections on Jeremiah’s Complaint
Jeremiah proclaimed God’s word, as instructed, and a religious leader persecuted him for it.
When have we suffered for doing what was right? For obeying God and what he told us to do?
May we always relish the life Yahweh gave us. [If you, like Jeremiah, wish that you were never born, know that God has a better plan for you.
Seek help from a trusted friend or God-honoring counselor. With their help—and God’s—you can move to embrace a better tomorrow.
Explore the other psalms—sacred songs of praise, petition, and lament—scattered throughout the Bible in Peter’s book Beyond Psalm 150.
Discover more sacred songs of praise, petition, and lament throughout the Bible.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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