Crying to God while in dark despondency

1–2 Crying to God
3–5 Living on the edge of death
6–9a Feeling forsaken by God
9b–12 Calling to God for mercy
13–14 Crying to God for help
15–18 Existing in darkness

• As you read this psalm—the gloomiest of all the psalms—keep the psalmists’ opening words in verses 1–2 in mind. A gloomy and difficult life is never a reason to abandon and not seek God.
• Is this psalm nothing but complaint and lament? What verses are not? What application can you make?
• How long has the psalmist experienced these hardships?