Quest Bible
Why was David so emotionally up and down?
Within five verses David moves from spiritual despair to hope, from gut-wrenching, internal wrestlings to complete trust and from deep sorrow to rejoicing. What causes these dramatic turnabouts?
One explanation may be that David’s psalms are simply snapshots of his feelings. As he gradually worked through issues, he returned to his confidence in God. But it may have happened more slowly than it would appear from reading the compressed account in these few verses.
Another explanation may be that David knew how to express feelings and faith simultaneously. Perhaps David revealed his emotions on one level while on another level he told what he actually believed.
David’s mood changes reflect the feelings of normal people struggling with their faith. Perhaps that’s why so many people can identify with Psalms with all its ups and downs.