Can you imagine a deer who has not had any water to drink in several days, and then, coming to a fresh, flowing pool of water? How would it react? The Psalmist began Psalm 42 with a familiar picture. “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God” (Psalm 42:1 ESV). Psalms 42 and 43 are very similar, and many scholars believe that they were at one time a single song. The refrain is, “Why are you cast down…” (Psalm 42:5, 11; 43:5). Much of the composition of these two Psalms is what is known as a “lament.” A lament is an expression of sorrow or complaint. The Psalmist was most likely in exile in the region of Mount Herman among ungodly people. He was thirsting and longing for God and God’s House back in Jerusalem. Sometimes, like the Psalmist, we find ourselves lamenting our situation in life. It may be the lament of a job, the loss of a job, death, financial heartaches, health problems or any of a multitude of other sorrows that come with life on earth. Although much of Psalm 42 and 43 is a lament, there is also the element of hope and optimism. Notice how the Psalmist deals with this intense sorrow.
The Craving
“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, ‘Where is your God?’” (Psalm 42:1–3). He knew that the only hope he had of being triumphant over the dark valley was to find refuge in God. Sadly, some turn their backs on God when dark times come. Life is going to be what life always will be—difficult at best! The only help in navigating life’s problems is to draw near to God. Crave Him, desire Him and cling to Him!
The Contemplation
“These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival” (Psalm 42:4). As the darkness became even more intense, the Psalmist contemplated worship and the wonderful spiritual blessings that come from praising God. Worship will not change our problems, but it will change our perspective if we allow it to.
The Confusion
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?… I say to God, my rock: ‘Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?’ As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me all the day long, ‘Where is your God?’” (Psalm 42:5, 9–10). The Psalmist had an internal struggle. Intellectually, he knew God was there and would not desert him, but emotionally, it felt like God had left him alone. This is a great reminder that God is still there and loves us, even if our faith begins to waver a bit. This is also an awesome reminder that feelings are not always an accurate gauge. The Psalmist felt like God left, but God was there the entire time!
The Calamity
“My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me” (Psalm 42:6–7). These verses are so indicative of how life sometimes can be. “Deep calls to deep” is the Psalmist saying that problems just keep coming, one after another. “When it rains, it pours” is often a true cliché. When problems double and triple in life, know that you are not the only one. Problems may come in bundles, but so often, so do blessings!
The Counsel
“Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation…By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God” (Psalm 42:5, 8, 11). After a painful and devastating pile of circumstances, the Psalmist repeated a chorus that counseled, instructed and encouraged him to keep pressing on. Sometimes dark valleys seem like the end, but as the Psalmist teaches so well, we must endure through the night until morning dawns.
The inspired thoughts of the Psalmist weave back and forth from lament to hope. He was experiencing life, which is so often up and down, discouraging and sometimes even disappointing. Yet, as the Psalm closed, the writer did something amazing. He made a choice, even in the midst of a dark valley, to change his perspective. Trusting God, even in the darkest of times, is a choice that we each must make. Life will happen regardless of who you are. The difference is how we choose to handle those difficult times. In the storm, look beyond adversity and see the hope that God provides. As William Cowper so encouragingly penned, “Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust Him for His grace; Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face.”
