You are unique and irreplaceable

But as for me, O Lord, I cry to you for help; 

in the morning my prayer comes before you.

Lord, why have you rejected me? 

why have you hidden your face from me?

Ever since my youth, I have been wretched and at the point of death; 

I have borne your terrors with a troubled mind.

Your blazing anger has swept over me; 

your terrors have destroyed me;

They surround me all day long like a flood; 

they encompass me on every side.

My friend and my neighbor you have put away from me, 

and darkness is my only companion.

- Psalm 88

Psalm 88 is often called the saddest of all the 150 psalms.

Psalm 88 is a lament from someone with faith, who cried out “day and night” for God to hear his prayers and give him comfort. Psalm 88 is unique among the Psalms because it does not end with hope or praise. Instead, it closes with the haunting line: “Darkness is my only companion” emphasizing the psalmist’s sense of abandonment and emotional pain.

Several commenters have noted that the psalmist describes symptoms that mirror clinical depression: persistent sadness, feelings of isolation, hopelessness, and a sense of being overwhelmed by darkness.

While there’s no resolution or divine intervention, this fact may resonate with those who feel stuck in their suffering and unable to see a way out. This makes Psalm 88 a powerful spiritual companion for those battling depression.

On Sunday, I participated in an “Out of the Darkness Walk,” sponsored by the American Foundation to Prevent Suicide. Thousands of people gathered across the country to stand up for those who have been impacted by suicide, either by losing someone to suicide, struggling with suicidal thoughts, or caring for someone who is struggling. 

Many people wore t-shirts that said, “Dear person behind me, the world is a better place with you in it.” Others wore slogans that said, “You are unique and irreplaceable.”

I believe God created each of us to be unique and irreplaceable. The New Testament teaches us that Jesus offers us comfort when we turn to Him, even during our darkest trials. Even if we don’t feel joyful, God wants us to pour out our hearts to Him. Even when we feel sad, He wants a relationship with each unique, irreplaceable individual.

Despite the anguish, the psalmist continues to cry out to God, showing that faith can coexist with deep emotional pain. This persistence in prayer, even when answers don’t come, reflects a profound spiritual struggle and resilience. It shows that Scripture acknowledges the reality of mental and emotional anguish.

I prayed with this psalm over and over. I found that God’s silence doesn’t mean absence. While the psalmist feels abandoned, the act of prayer itself is a testament to faith.

Psalm 88 is a rare and powerful biblical text that doesn’t shy away from the depths of human suffering. It offers solidarity to those in suffering, showing that even in the darkest valleys, the cry to God is heard—even if the answer is not immediate.

Musical Reflection - Be Still and Know - The Fray

Dear God, Even in my darkest hours, let me feel your presence and know that You are there to comfort me. Remind me that I am unique and irreplaceable, and the world is a better place with me in it. May my suffering not be in vain, but an opportunity to relate to others’ suffering and to lift each other up out of the darkness. Amen.

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