God Understands our Emotions

WHEN GOD BRINGS YOU FULL CIRCLE                                                                                  

Devotion : Day Four

Psalm 139:19-22

Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God! Depart from me, therefore, you ^[i]bloodthirsty men. ²⁰ For they speak against You wickedly; Your enemies take Your name in vain. ²¹ Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? ²² I hate them with ^[k]perfect hatred;  I count them my enemies.

Psalm 139:19–22 feels like a surprising shift in tone from previous verses in Psalm 139.  After David’s beautiful declarations about God’s presence, His intimate knowledge of us, and the wonder of our creation, he suddenly cries out for God to judge the wicked.

“Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God!

Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men…” (Psalm 139:19)

At first reading, these verses seem out of place. How does David move from awe and worship to anger and judgment? Is he trying to convince God of the wickedness around him or justify his own righteousness?

Contrary as these verses seem when compared to verses 1-18, they reveal that David’s prayer came mixed with intense anger and desperation. This is a familiar place to all of us.  David’s prayer was not emotionless. He did not hide his feelings from God.  His prayer was honest.  He was not trying to be polished. He was open before the Lord.  Worship, admiration, frustration, weariness, and desperation were all brought before God together.

These verses help us remember an important truth.  God understands our emotions.  Specifically, here, he understands anger.  We can and should go to God in our anger.  We shouldn’t avoid Him because of it.  Scripture says, “In your anger do not sin” — not “do not be angry.” Anger itself is not the issue; what matters is where we take it.  David took his anger directly to God.  

We should do the same.  

If we have sinned in our anger, God is faithful and just to forgive us. James 4:8 reminds us: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."

These are promises we can trust completely. When we come honestly before Him, He meets us there. He leads us through our pain, frustration, confusion, and helps us over our anger exchanging it with peace, patience, long-suffering, other fruits of the spirit and forgiveness.

David’s story and plight epitomizes conflict and exhaustion. David spent a major portion of his devoted life defending himself against enemies, betrayal, and constant opposition. David in this psalm and prayer expresses his weariness of the evil surrounding him and tired of running from adversity. His cry brings relief to us from whatever circumstance or situation we come and gives language to the burdens many of us carry today.

These verses in Psalm 139 teach us that we never need to hide from God. We can come openly, honestly, and vulnerably before Him. He welcomes us with open arms and gently brings us “full circle” — back to the truth of who He is and who we are in Him.

He reminds us that we were intentionally created, fully known, deeply loved, and never abandoned. He redirects our hearts from fear and frustration back to His strength, His sovereignty, and His plans for our lives.

These verses are purposeful and useful to bring us to a healthy place of deeper humility, greater submission and love of God; a place of stronger faith in Him.  If and when you find yourself asking, “Lord, how did I end up here again?” His response will often be: “My child, I have more to teach you, more to show you, greater places to take you, and more blessings to bestow on you”.

So do not shrink back in shame or fear. Instead, approach God with healthy reverence, honesty, and confidence in His love. Let these verses encourage you to bring every emotion and every circumstance before Him.

As a call to action, spend time praying through Psalm 139 regularly. Read it slowly. Reflect deeply on it. Converse with the Lord through every verse, because that is what prayer truly is — honest communion with God. Allow Him to search your heart, reveal His truth, and restore your perspective.

Over time, you will notice your troubles will begin to lose their grip, your faith will grow stronger, and the Lord will become more exalted in your life. In every season, He is bringing you through another “full circle” — shaping you, strengthening you, and drawing you closer to Himself.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,Thank You for knowing us completely and loving us fully. Thank You that we never have to hide our emotions, struggles, or frustrations from You. Teach us to bring everything honestly before Your throne with humility and trust. When anger rises within us, help us not to sin, but to surrender our hearts to You. Search us, refine us, and lead us in Your everlasting way. Strengthen us in difficult seasons and remind us that every trial has purpose in Your hands. Draw us closer to You each day and help us walk in Your truth, peace, and victory. May our lives continually glorify You and reflect Your love to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.