Book 2
Saturday, November 23
Read Psalm 42-43
Think About It:
- Many believe these two psalms were once one, but do not know why they were separated. The psalms are intensely personal, containing over fifty personal pronouns; and the writer fluctuated between faith and despair as he wrestled with the Lord. He questions the Lord eleven times as he wonders why God doesn’t do something for him. Have you ever questioned God in difficult situations?
- The writer passes through three stages before coming to victory and peace.
Longing for God (42:1-5). During a drought, the writer saw a female deer panting and struggling to reach water to quench her thirst and this reminded him that he thirsted for the Lord and wanted to go on pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Hunger and thirst are familiar images for the quest for fellowship with God and the satisfaction it brings.
Remembering God (42:6-11). The emotional and spiritual landscape changes from drought to a storm, with the writer feeling like he was drowning in sorrow and pain (verses 6-7). In verse 8 the writer used Jehovah instead of Elohim, and this was the turning point in his difficult experience. Jehovah is the God of the covenant, the faithful God who cares for His people. He is the God who showers his people with loving kindness, gives them promises they can claim when they pray, and hears them when they praise and worship. The writer didn’t have to go to Jerusalem to worship; he would worship God right where he was!
Trusting God (43:1-5). The landscape changes a third time as the dawn announces the morning and reminds the psalmist of God’s light and truth (v 3). THE Lord had led Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, and so His light and truth (faithfulness) would bring him back to Jerusalem. The innocent exile would be vindicated before his accusers and be rescued from an ungodly nation. His strength was in the Lord alone, the Rock of his salvation, and soon his despair would be replaced by joy. As they trust in the Lord, God’s people must remember that His goodness and mercy follow them and His light and truth lead them. God’s holy hill is Mt. Zion, where God’s sanctuary was located, the dwelling place of God.
Family Time:
- The first words of the first verse of chapter 42 are words to a song we sing in church. Do you recognize them? Using the last words of this chapter, “for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God”, create a short song to sing. Now sing it!
- In chapter 43, David is once again discouraged by the events of his life, but he continues to call out to God. Notice the last words of the last verse of chapter 43? Do they look familiar? Sing your song again! And again!
