Psalm 42-43
God's Word to the depressed
Intro
√ Book 2 of the Psalms
"To the Chief Musician. A Contemplation of the sons of Korah"
Thus begins a new section in the Psalms. In fact, 7 of the psalms in Book 2 (Ps. 42-72) have this heading.
Probably not the authors, rather, those to whom the psalms were delivered to be performed - priests who's ministry it was to sing praises to the Lord.
1 psalm in Book 2 written by Asaph
20 written by David
3 are anonymous
1 by Solomon
Regardless of the human author, the Holy Spirit is the One Whom inspired the text.
√ Psalm 42 & 43
Many believe that at one time these two psalms were put together as one.
Reason - many Hebrew manuscripts have them together.
Tied together by the refrain in vs. 42:5, 42:11 & 43:5…
"Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me?"
The psalm then is one born of a heart that is gripped by a deep depression or unsettled feeling.
It would seem that the psalmist had enjoyed serving the Lord
at the altar of God in
However, for reasons unstated, the psalmist is now far from
In the midst of his despair the psalmist finds joy and triumph as he puts his hope squarely upon the promises of God's Word.
Ap. I know a little about depression J
For those who deal with depression we find that the psalmist gives us instruction on how to deal with it!
Thirsting for God (vs. 1-4)
Ps. 42:1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.
Ps. 42:2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
Ps. 42:3 My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, “Where is your God?”
Ps. 42:4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.
√ Thirsting for God
In this first stanza the psalmist declares that he longs for the presence of God that he once experienced when he was able to worship with the congregation in Jerusalem ("house of God" - vs. 4).
He describes his spiritual longing as a thirst…
…like that of a deer in the desert searching for life-giving water.
A fitting description! For just as a deer requires water to live, so the soul of Man requires the presence of God to sustain him!
The human soul requires spiritual refreshment.
Ex. Jesus' claim at the Feast of Tabernacles
John 7:37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
John 7:38 “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
John 7:39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
The last day of the feast - traditionally the 8th day. The people dismantled their booths and gathered for a final assembly.
The DISMANTLING of the booths reminded them of the completion of the 40 years their ancestors spent in the wilderness. It also reminded them that after the 40 years they entered into the PROMISED LAND.
As they gathered for the last time there was GREAT JOY. The priests for the last time went to the Pool of Siloam, filled the golden pitcher and carried it back to the alter where it was poured out.
As the water was poured out they sang Isaiah 12:3
"Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of SALVATION."
The ritual reminded them of what God HAD DONE in the wilderness - THE ROCK which provided life giving water.
Also of what God WOULD DO in the FUTURE KINGDOM - see Zech. 14:8 & Ez. 47:1-11
To which the crowd responded
"Oh give thanks to the Lord!"
Then the people would pass by the altar waving their WILLOW branch in one hand, and a then beating the ground with a PALM in the other.
When the palm branches were beaten into pieces a SILENCE fell over the crowd.
It is most likely at this point that Jesus' voice split the silence and....
John 7:37 .........Jesus stood and cried out, saying , "If anyone THIRSTS, let him come to Me and drink.
The question comes to mind…
…how could anyone still be thirsty!
After a week of elaborate ritual; the priests daily going to the Pool of Siloam, drawing the water, pouring the water over the alter, the water being funneled by silver pipes to the Kidron.
Water in great abundance everywhere - how could a person still be thirsty!!!??
Jesus was crying out to the crowd…
"ARE YOU SATISFIED?"
…are you satisfied with religion, with dead rituals, with false religion, and the vain philosophy's of men?
In the midst of your celebration are you truly joyful? In the midst of remembering do you lack a real experience with God!
Do you still thirst for real spiritual satisfaction?
Then, "come to Me" Jesus says!
Ap. Only Jesus can satisfy a thirsty soul
The psalmist recognized his need for God's presence in his life, he longed desperately to return to the "house of God" where he could come before his God and experience the life-sustaining power of God's presence.
He knew it was in God's presence that his heart would be lifted and his hope restored.
How about you? When your soul is "cast down" recognize that your soul is thirsty for the Fountain of Life!
Ex. "Drink before your thirsty"
Your soul will be satisfied by spending time with Jesus in…
His Word
Prayer
Praise
So, when you're
depressed, discouraged, or despairing, recognize these are the symptoms of a
thirsty soul.
Trusting in God (vs. 5-11)
Ps. 42:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.
Ps. 42:6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me; Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan, And from the heights of Hermon, From the Hill Mizar.
Ps. 42:7 Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me.
Ps. 42:8 The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song shall be with me-- A prayer to the God of my life.
Ps. 42:9 I will say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”
Ps. 42:10 As with a breaking of my bones, My enemies reproach me, While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
Ps. 42:11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.
√ Trusting in God
The psalmist asks an interesting question of himself…
"Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me?" - vs. 5 & 11
…it would almost seem that the psalmist was somewhat confused by the unsettled feelings in his soul (heart).
That is, on the one hand he may have had some legitimate reasons for being down…
He's been removed from Jerusalem (ministry) - vs. 6
He's been through "deep waters" (hard times) - vs. 7
He's suffering the taunts of his enemies - vs. 9 & 10
yet, he was also mature enough in his faith to recognize that he really shouldn't be discouraged or depressed by these things.
Reminds us that our
emotions are not logical or rational!
√ The soul
The soul, sometimes called the "heart", other times the "mind", it is that non-physical, eternal, part of each of us that makes me - me, and you - you!
It is that unique inner nature of a person which includes our…
Feelings
Desires
Likes
Dislikes
Thoughts
Personality
…and most importantly is that "living being" which God breathed into our physical body.
What is so fascinating about our soul is that while it is non-material, it is none the less influenced by both the material and spiritual worlds!
Ex. Chocolate makes me happy! No chocolate makes me sad! People say nice, but untrue things about me - I'm happy; people say mean, but untrue things about me - I'm sad!
So we recognize that the way we "feel" can be influenced by all sorts of things….
The weather
What we ate, or didn't eat
Circumstance - hopes fulfilled or dashed
In my own life I can become depressed over the most insignificant things!
Other times, like the psalmist, I can feel down "disquieted", even when I can't put my finger on why, or even when I don't have any reason to be discouraged!
What a sick puppy! What's the solution!
√ Hope in God
Note that the psalmist answers his own question in both vs. 5 & 11…
"Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance"
The solution to our down cast soul, to the disquieted sense within us, is to call to mind the hope we have in our unchanging God!
While our feelings will change, God never does.
The psalmist reminds us that God's…
Countenance (face) is always turned to our needs - vs. 5
Lovingkindness will always surround us in the day - vs. 8
Song will always comfort us in the night - vs. 8
…in short, when our soul becomes unsettled - either by real of imagined fears - we must trust in the Lord and fill our thoughts with His unchanging love toward us.
Ex. God's word of comfort to His servants…
"I am with you"
…spoken to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Jeremiah, the Jews rebuilding Jerusalem, and to you and to me!
Heb. 13:5 For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Heb. 13:6 So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
So, when depression, discouragement,
and despair would seek to rob you of your joy…
…trust in the Lord -
for He is with you!
Triumph of the Lord (vs. 1-5)
Ps. 43:1 Vindicate me, O God, And plead my cause against an ungodly nation; Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man!
Ps. 43:2 For You are the God of my strength; Why do You cast me off? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
Ps. 43:3 Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle.
Ps. 43:4 Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God.
Ps. 43:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.
√ Triumph of the Lord
The psalmist finds triumph over his downcast soul in the Person, the provision, and the praise of the Lord.
The Person of the Lord:
In vs. 1 & 2 the psalmist looks to God to defend his cause and to be his strength.
Reminds us that the Lord alone can rescue us from our enemies, even those unsettled feelings in our heart.
The Provision of the Lord:
In vs. 3-4 the psalmist asks that the Lord send out His "light" and His "Truth".
Light reminds us of the guiding influence of God's word.
Truth reminds us of the faithful promises of God's word.
Reminds us to look to God's unchanging word for strength and hope.
The Praise of the Lord:
In vs. 5 we find the psalmist repeating the refrain that ties these two psalms together.
Reminding us that when we're down cast we must lift our praises to God in faith believing that He will yet show Himself strong in our behalf.
Close
√ God's word to the depressed
Fill your thirsty soul at the Fountain of Life
Turn your thoughts to His unchanging love for you
Look to the Lord to bring triumph in your life