Verses 1-18
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In this Psalm, Heman writes that his suffering is so great that he feels as though he were dead, forsaken not only by man, but also by God. He doesn't mean dead merely in the physical sense, but in the spiritual. He defines death as being forgotten by God and cut off from Him (verse 5), suffering His terror and fierce wrath (verses 15-16).
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Notice that his greatest concern is not the loss of his physical life, but the loss of closeness with God. Losing God is an affliction far greater than any other form of loss.
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In death and condemnation for sinners, there is a place where souls are forgotten, a place of darkness (verse 12). It's possible that the psalmist refers to the void, also referred to as “outer darkness” by Jesus (Matthew 8:12). You do not want to go there. It means complete isolation from God. It seems that even the memory of you is forgotten if you are banished there.
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Knowing this, continue to pray to God because you want to be close to Him. Do not fear the loss of physical life, but fear the loss of closeness with Him, and let this drive you to pray.
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Heman prays to God for help, and because he wishes to praise God, and to declare His lovingkindness, His wonders, and His righteousness (verses 10-12).
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Desire to live and prolong your life out of a desire to bring God glory while you live. After you die you will not have the same opportunity to praise God on earth. Value your physical life, and see it as an opportunity to spread the knowledge of God to others.
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