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\u201cYou have put me in the lowest pit in the darkest depths\u201d (Psalm 88:6).

This text is no \u2018happy go lucky\u2019 religious trope. It's downright depressing. And it's not just this verse, the entire Psalm is dark. We might ask ourselves, why is it in the Bible? Various answers may be given. Paul tells us that all Scripture is for our training in righteousness and being equipped for every good work (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17). So, its fair to say that God wants all of us to wrestle with the issues of this psalm.

It recognizes that God's people sometimes get to a place which psychiatrists call 'clinical depression'. This doesn't mean we can diagnosis the psalmist with it. However, many of the things expressed here resonate deeply with those who experience depression. For them, this lament gives Christians permission to be depressed in God\u2019s presence. There is no requirement to come before God full of happiness and brimming with faith.

Note that God gets the blame. The psalmist shoves his finger into God\u2019s face saying, \u201cIts your fault my life is a mess.\u201d The theological accuracy of this accusation is not the point of the Psalm. This is a deeply emotive poem, penned by a believer who hasn't got the foggiest notion where God is; or anyone else for that matter. Everything and everyone important have evaporated.

This is probably the darkest of the psalms. It recognizes the reality that just because we are God's children, doesn't mean that we always see the world as rosy. It stands in complete contrast to Paul's statements that we ought to give thanks always.

It reveals that the Bible is not a neat and tidy book with all life's answers in plain sight. That God\u2019s people should always be upbeat is refuted here. Instead, we are given words to express our dark night.

The only apparent hope of this psalm is that it is addressed to God. Somehow, if there is any light at the end of this dark tunnel, God will need to provide it.

This gives us some clues in walking with people who are living Psalm 88. Few of us truly know the darkness of these verses. So, let's not pretend that we do. Further, let us not try to theologize people out of their darkness. We are sometimes guilty of thinking that if we can just pour enough Biblical truth into people, they will snap out of it. Remember Job\u2019s friends. Their silence was helpful, their words were a disaster.

Even worse, we sometimes try to guilt Christians out of their darkness. We attempt to give them the proverbial boot in the hind end. They should just pull up their socks and get over it. Pray harder, play only happy worship music, etc., etc.

This psalmist will have none this. The Christian sometimes finds herself in a very dark hole. And no matter how hard we holler from the safety above, there is nothing the Christian can do to get out. And our rope ladders are often too delicate to hold the wait of despair.

Let me suggest what we can do. First, study this psalm to get some understanding of where our friends are at. Secondly, stay with them (without trying to fix them) until they are rescued. Finally, we must pray that God will rescue them. He is their only hope, and sometimes he might just use us to help them out.

Many of us know the song Amazing Grace written by ex-slaver turned Reformed Pastor, John Newton. His close friend, John Cowper, composed Oh, For a Closer Walk with God and God Moves in a Mysterious Way. John Cowper suffered from depression all his adult life. There were times when the depression lifted and, reflecting on his experiences, he wrote songs. Their context gives these old hymns a new depth.

Sometimes John Cowper could only sing Psalm 88. Other times, he could lead the congregation in God Moves in a Mysterious Way. John Newton learned to be his friend, to the very end Cowper\u2019s life.