Longing for the Lord
Text: Psalm 42:1-11; 1AS THE hart pants and longs for the water brooks, so I pant and long for You, O God.2My inner self thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? 3My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, where is your God? 4These things I [earnestly] remember and pour myself out within me: how I went slowly before the throng and led them in procession to the house of God [like a bandmaster before his band, timing the steps to the sound of music and the chant of song], with the voice of shouting and praise, a throng keeping festival. 5Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, my Help and my God.6O my God, my life is cast down upon me [and I find the burden more than I can bear]; therefore will I [earnestly] remember You from the land of the Jordan [River] and the [summits of Mount] Hermon, from the little mountain Mizar.7[Roaring] deep calls to [roaring] deep at the thunder of Your waterspouts; all Your breakers and Your rolling waves have gone over me. 8Yet the Lord will command His loving-kindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me, a prayer to the God of my life.9I will say to God my Rock, Why have You forgotten me? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? 10As with a sword [crushing] in my bones, my enemies taunt and reproach me, while they say continually to me, where is your God? 11Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my countenance, and my God. (The Amplified Bible)
Psalm 43:1-5; 1JUDGE and vindicate me, O God; plead and defend my cause against an ungodly nation. O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man! 2For you are the God of my strength [my Stronghold--in whom I take refuge]; why have you cast me off? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
3O send out your light and your truth, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling.
4Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my exceeding joy; yes, with the lyre will I praise You, O God, my God! 5Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my [sad] countenance, and my God. (Amplified Bible)
Introduction: I don’t know about you but I get tired of sinning and having to ask for forgiveness. I also just plain get tired of myself. And sometimes I just feel down for no reason at all. Do you ever feel like that? While it’s certainly true that sin can mess up our bodies, there are times when we just feel blue.
My guess is that you experience some daily discouragement as well. Most of us go through some dry times and low seasons of life. Many years ago a young Midwestern lawyer suffered from such deep depression that his friends kept all knives and razors out of his reach. He questioned his life’s calling and just wanted to give up. This is what he wrote in his journal: “I am now the most miserable man living. Whether I shall ever be better, I cannot tell…to remain as I am impossible.” Do you know who wrote those words? They were penned by President Abraham Lincoln.
Charles Spurgeon, one of the greatest preachers from a previous century, shocked his listeners when he said this in a sermon: “I am the subject of depressions of spirit so fearful that I hope none of you ever get to such extremes of wretchedness as I go to.”
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression strikes about 17 million adults in the U.S. each year – more than cancer, AIDS, or heart disease. Half of all Americans say they, or one of their family members, have suffered from depression. The Journal of the American Medical Association has stated, “More suffering has resulted from depression than from any other single disease affecting mankind.” (N. Kline, 190:732-40).
Let me say at the beginning that I don’t know much about clinical depression. I do know that depression is a very complex condition that can be rooted in spiritual, emotional, mental, biological, or physiological causes, or a combination thereof. If you struggle with depression this morning you can end your depression this morning through the help of Jesus Christ. You can’t end depression by yourself and there is no shame in admitting that you need some assistance.
Having said that; I want us to take a look at Psalm 42 in order to better understand the kind of depression that can hit us in the spiritual solar plexus. Let me list a couple background truths before we jump in.
1. Psalm 42 is similar to Psalm 32, in that it is a teaching psalm, intended to help us learn how to handle the spiritual blues. We could call it, “How to Deal with Depression,” or “Beating the Blues.”
2. The inscription identifies this as the sons of Korah. This also refers to a family of singers. They loved to sing and lead others in worship. Tradition regards this as a psalm written by David for the sons of Korah who put it to music. The context in which David wrote this is when he was forced to flee into the wilderness because his son Absalom was leading a rebellion against him in 2 Samuel 15-16. David was removed from the throne, his life was threatened, his friends had bailed on him, he was ridiculed and mocked, and he was miles away from the temple where he loved to worship.
David was piled with problems. He was on the run. He was alone and discouraged. This was his personal “ground zero.” He’s been where some of you are today. Let’s listen in as he longs for the Lord in the midst of his troubles.
[Read Psalm 42 again if needed]
If you’re looking for a way to beat the blues this morning, David gives us four steps to put into practice.
I. Seek God with everything you have!
A. (42:1) 1As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. (KJV) 1AS THE hart pants and longs for the water brooks, so I pant and long for You, O God (Amplified Bible).
1. When a deer is thirsty, he will run full speed until he finds some water. When he finally finds it, he will stick his face into the cool stream, forgetting everything else around him. This is unusual for deer because they are normally very alert and cautious. But, when they’re panting, they’ll do almost anything to quench their thirst. During drought conditions deer will alter their daily routine to make sure they can find water.
2. Whenever a deer senses danger, it will run to a stream. Most hunters think the deer is trying to avoid leaving a scent. The deer, however, seeks water for a different reason. When a deer is retreating from an enemy, it develops a tremendous thirst. Fear and the physical strain of running create a strong desire for water. David is picturing himself like a deer that is on the run in desperate search of refreshment.
B. (42:2) 2My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? (KJV) 2My inner self thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? (Amplified Bible)
1. Verse 2 tells us that just as a deer can’t wait to quench its thirst, his soul is thirsting “for the living God.” He wants to know God. He’s seeking Him with everything he has. It’s hard for us to get really thirsty today because there are pop machines and water fountains (or “bubblers”) everywhere. But thirst is powerful. It must be satisfied or we’ll die. Have you ever been that thirsty spiritually? Does your soul pant for God? Only the living God can quench the thirst of the human heart. Just as a deer knows instinctively where to find water when it’s thirsty, so too, we must seek Him with everything we’ve got.
a. John 7:37-39 declares, “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. [38] He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. [39] (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)” (KJV) “37Now on the final and most important day of the Feast, Jesus stood, and He cried in a loud voice, if any man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! 38He who believes in me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on me] as the Scripture has said, from his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water.
39But He was speaking here of the Spirit, Whom those who believed (trusted, had faith) in Him were afterward to receive. For the [Holy] Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified (raised to honor).” (Amplified Bible)
b. Isaiah 26:8-9 states, “Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O Lord, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. [9] With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” (KJV) “8Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
9With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” (Amplified Bible)
2. Friends, we’re all thirsty for God but not everyone comes to Him to have that thirst quenched. Many times we look to other things to satisfy us.
a. Jeremiah 2:13 reads, “For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” (KJV) “13For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the Fountain of living waters, and they have hewn for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns which cannot hold water.” (Amplified Bible)
II. Be honest when you are hurting.
A. (42:3) “My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, where is thy God?” (KJV) “3My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, where is your God?” (Amplified Bible)
1. My tears have been my meat—the word rendered tears in this place is in the singular number, and means literally weeping. The word meat here means literally bread, and is used in the general signification of food, as the word meat is always used in the English version of the Bible. The English word meat, which originally signified food, has been changed gradually in its signification, until it now denotes in common usage animal food, or flesh. The idea here is that instead of eating, he had wept. The state described is that which occurs so often when excessive sorrow takes away the appetite, or destroys the relish for food, and occasions fasting. This was the foundation of the whole idea of fasting—that sorrow takes away the desire for food for the time, and leads to involuntary abstinence.
2. Day and night—constantly; without intermission.
3. Where is thy God?—the meaning here is, “He seems to be utterly forsaken or abandoned by God. He trusted in God. He professed to be his friend. He looked to him as his protector. But he is now forsaken, as if he had no God; and God is treating him as if he were none of his; as if he had no love for him and no concern about his welfare.”
B. (42:6) “6O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.” (KJV) “6O my God, my life is cast down upon me [and I find the burden more than I can bear]; therefore will I [earnestly] remember you from the land of the Jordan [River] and the [summits of Mount] Hermon, from the little mountain Mizar.”(Amplified Bible)
III. Force yourself to remember truth.
A. (42:4) “4When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.” (KJV) “4These things I [earnestly] remember and pour myself out within me: how I went slowly before the throng and led them in procession to the house of God [like a bandmaster before his band, timing the steps to the sound of music and the chant of song], with the voice of shouting and praise, a throng keeping festival.” (Amplified Bible)
1. The psalmist responds to the present exile by a recollection of the past when he had enjoyed God’s presence and favor. Multitude—He remembers the pilgrimages when he praised God in the midst of the congregation. Such remembrance gives him the stability he needs to see the present crisis in perspective.
2. What is it that David remembers? First of all, he remembers the fellowship he used to have in verse 4: “How I used to go with the multitude…” David is alone and probably afraid. As he thinks back to the times of sweet fellowship he had with other believers, a smile begins to form on his face. He can’t wait to reconnect with God’s people again.
a. Hebrews 10:23-25 states, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) [24] And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: [25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (KJV) “23So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word. 24And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities, 25Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.”
b. Psalm 27:2-4 states, “When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. [3] Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. [4] One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.” (KJV) “2When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 3Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, [even then] in this will I be confident. 4One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently] require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple.” (Amplified Bible)
3. Second, David forces himself to remember the sweetness of corporate worship: “…leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.” While it’s important for us to be with each other, we must never forget that we’re together in order to give shouts of joy and thanksgiving to God. We’re together so that we can worship.
4. Third, David locks into the fact that He serves a “living God” in verse 2. God is not dead. He’s not sleeping. He’s alive and at work, even when we can’t sense Him. We could say it this way: “He’s God and we’re not.”
5. Fourth, David remembers that God loves Him. Look at verse 8: “Yet the LORD will command his loving kindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.” (KJV)
a. The word “day” here refers to prosperity. The expectation of the psalmist was that a time of goodness would return and the loving-kindness of God would again be manifested to him.
6. To sum it all up, when you’re feeling low, force yourself to remember these truths:
a. You need people.
b. you need worship.
c. He is God and you are not.
d. He loves you.
7. Philippians 4:8 declares, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (KJV) “8For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].” (Amplified Bible)
8. The Hebrew here is very interesting. The tense is not only referring to the past: “I used to go,” it also can refer to the future: “I will go.” He’s making up his mind to trust God and to do what is right, even when he doesn’t feel like it. That leads to the final step: Decide to trust God.
IV. Decide to trust God.
A. (42:5) “5Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” (KJV) “5Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, my Help and my God.” (Amplified Bible)
1. Hope thou in God—That is, trust in him, with the hope that he will interpose and restore you to the privileges and comforts heretofore enjoyed. The soul turns to God when all other hope fails, and finds comfort in the belief that he can and will aid us.
2. For I shall yet praise him—Margin, give thanks. The idea is, that he would yet have occasion to give him thanks for his merciful interposition. This implies a strong assurance that these troubles would not last always.
3. For the help of his countenance—literally, “the salvations of his face,” or his presence. The original word rendered help is in the plural number, meaning salvations; and the idea in the use of the plural is, that his deliverance would be completed or entire—as if double or manifold. The meaning of the phrase “help of his countenance” or “face,” is that God would look favorably or benignly upon him. Favor is expressed in the Scriptures by lifting up the light of the countenance on one.
B. (42:11) “11Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” (KJV) “11Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my countenance, and my God.” (Amplified Bible)
C. (43:1-5) “1Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. 2For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? 3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. 4Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God. 5Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” (KJV) “1JUDGE and vindicate me, O God; plead and defend my cause against an ungodly nation. O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man! 2For you are the God of my strength [my Stronghold--in whom I take refuge]; why have you cast me off? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? 3O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling.4Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my exceeding joy; yes, with the lyre will I praise You, O God, my God! 5Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my [sad] countenance, and my God. (Amplified Bible)
1. This final step is more fully developed in Psalm 43. According to many Bible scholars, Psalm 42 and Psalm 43 were originally one psalm. You can see that Psalm 43 has no heading and verse 5 is identical to verses 5 and 11 in Psalm 42. While Psalm 42 is a dialogue between David and his soul, in this next psalm David speaks directly to God.
2. Look at verse 1: “Vindicate me, O God” and verse 2: “You are God my stronghold.” In verse 3 he asks God to “send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.” David then gets to the core. When he’s at his personal “ground zero,” He makes up his mind in verse 4: “Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.”
D. Job 13:15 declares, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” (KJV) “15[I do it because, though He slay me, yet will I wait for and trust Him and] behold, He will slay me; I have no hope--nevertheless, I will maintain and argue my ways before Him and even to His face.” (Amplified Bible)
Conclusion: David comes back to the central truth of all – God Himself. His trust in Him is now fully expressed as he comes to the altar of God. We consistently need to: (1) seek him with everything we’ve got. (2) Be honest when we are hurting. (3)Force ourselves to remember what is true. (4) Decide to trust in God
When we find hope again. That doesn’t mean that everything suddenly becomes smooth sailing but it does give us assurance that one day we will yet praise God again. When we remember how far God went to forgive our sins, we’ll know for sure that He will never let us go. The crucifixion of Christ is a past reality that we cannot change but a reality that somehow changes us.
