Who doesn’t love Psalm 34? With upbeat confidence and refreshed faith, David recounts one of many accounts of God’s deliverance in his life. His fearful demeanor has been replaced with a radiant face (Psalm 34: 5). Where anxieties and afflictions once surrounded him, now he knows himself encircled by the angel of Lord (Psalm 34: 6–7). No wonder, with a heart so stirred with a good theme, he wants to teach others the fear of the Lord. No wonder he exclaims, “Taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Psalm 34: 8).

While many of David’s psalms are marked by questions marks, Psalm 34 is replete with exclamation marks! In seasons of joy, this psalm resonates with our souls; we shout in consonance with David, “Yes, it is so!”. In seasons of sorrow and struggle, we borrow confidence from David, praying, “Oh, Lord, let it be so!”

The stretches of life between weeping and praising with wonder can be wearying to the soul. We read the psalms without knowing the length of the wait in between trusting that the Lord is good and tasting that the Lord is good. Yet most of our lives happen in these in-between times, in the gap between the question mark and the exclamation point.

What we do in the meanwhile matters. How we see each other in the meanwhile matters. Where we gather strength to stay in the meandering meanwhile matters. Worship is not just the succinct psalm at the end recounting the experience of God’s deliverance and provision. We are invited to worship through the whole process.

Worship is bringing our hearts to God no matter their condition. Worship is saying ” I trust you even before I taste your deliverance.”

Not yet tasting but trusting 

My face- it’s far from radiant;
It’s contorted by cares and fear.
My soul is worn from seeking You;
You seem absent though You’re near. 

So, I’ll borrow David’s confidence.
In humility, I’ll take ancient advice:
I will bless the Lord at all times;
I’ll seek Him once, twice, and thrice.

When anxieties encamp around me,
I’ll pray to a Protector I cannot see. 
My shield when shame shouts his lies:
“None are ashamed who look to thee.”

David believed God would come to him
Even before the Incarnate God came.
Having come once, He will come again.
Thus, I bank all my hope in His name.

Many the afflictions of the righteous, 
But many more the proofs of His love. 
He redeems the life of His servants,
So keep lifting your eyes above.  

If you find yourself in that liminal space between a question mark and an exclamation point, I pray that you would know God’s pleasure in you as you fight to trust him.