Being sorrowful (or sad) is a normal human emotion which we all experience at one point or another. We are often sad about matters such as embarrassment and regret, which are all borne out of our worldly concerns. The Bible, however, makes a clear distinction between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow. The Bible does not say that worldly sorrow should not be felt, as indeed, there are many verses found which provide comfort in times of such despair. However, it highlights that what is more important is that we sorrow after that which has separated us from God – trouble of mind, and grief from outward afflictions and more importantly, the remembrance of sins and fear of God’s wrath.

Godly sorrow results from a heart-felt conviction that we have offended God by our sin. Heman the Ezrahite’s response in his prayer in Psalm 88 is a very clear example of how sorrowful one kept in the darkness of sin would and should be. The Bible tells us how important it is to understand such sorrow, which would ultimately lead to heartfelt change. Experiencing godly sorrow, however necessary, is easier said than done. Psalm 88 is a prayer of sorrow, being literally in the “darkness” that sin has kept us in. Even in times of such great sorrow in sin – we see how Heman has humbled himself and turned towards God in prayer. He keeps looking to God throughout, and is earnest in seeking God’s forgiveness and God’s way.

In our time of godly sorrow, we should learn from Heman. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4). God is our ultimate comfort in our time of sorrow – nothing worldly can comfort us in terms of godly sorrow of our sin. Although this Psalm is one of the rare ones which does not end with a hint of hope in God, we do know that “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). As in Isaiah 9:2, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” Similarly, the light of God’s salvation will come to bring us out of the darkness of sin and help us turn from something bad to something good. “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19).