Passage: Psalm 42
The Big Idea
Psalms 42 and 43 belong together, sharing a refrain: Why are you cast down, O my soul? Hope in God. The psalmist is thirsty for God, downcast and far from the joy he once knew. He doesn’t deny his feelings. He questions his soul, preaches truth to it and turns it toward God.
Reflections
As the deer pants for the water brooks (v. 1). I was made to work rightly only in Your presence. My mind, will and emotions need Your Spirit to lead them and pour life into them, or they’re a wreck. A deer will risk danger to get water. You’re the living water for my soul, and I’m in danger when I neglect that need.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God (v. 2). It’s You alone I want. There are many substitutes, but they leave me emptier and thirstier. I needed a great work done before I could come into Your presence, and Jesus, You did it all. You wanted fellowship with me so much that You gave Your life for my sin. You’ve set my spirit free from sin’s power, and now my soul is learning to live in Your presence, where the thirst is satisfied.
My tears have been my food (vv. 3-4). Any time away from You is sorrow for my soul. The psalmist remembers leading joyful crowds to God’s house, and it hurts. Deep sorrow is real.
Why are you cast down, O my soul? (v. 5). He questions his soul: why are my mind, will and emotions so low? Then he reminds himself of truth. He talks back to his soul: Hope in God.
My soul is cast down within me; therefore I will remember You (v. 6). I don’t need to lie about my feelings. I can bring them straight to You. I can approach Your throne of grace with anything. I don’t have to handle anything alone, yet I’m often too proud to come.
Deep calls unto deep… all Your waves and billows have gone over me (v. 7). When I’m deeply afraid or full of sorrow, I’ll let it drive me to seek You alone, even knowing the waves come under Your hand.
The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me (v. 8). You give grace all day, and I respond with praise at night. My life is receiving Your grace and praising You for it. You fill me with Your life, so much better than mine.
Why have You forgotten me? (vv. 9-10). When You seem silent, it’s very hard, because You’re my life. When others hurt me, I go straight to You. It pains me that my enemies don’t see Your hand in my life. Let them see Your love.
Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him (v. 11). I question my soul again: why do I feel this way? I’ll hope in God. I’ll praise Him even when I don’t feel like it. You’re my Savior and my God. I have no life outside You. Jesus Christ, King of kings, I’m Your servant. Send me where You will. Use my gifts. I follow You. I need You.
Grace Takeaway
When your soul is downcast, don’t just listen to it. Talk to it. Tell it the truth: hope in God, for you will yet praise Him.
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