For the choir director. A Maskill of the sons of Korah.
Psalm 42 is a lament psalm written by men who formerly were able to freely worship God with the Lord’s people. But something has changed. And now they find themselves removed from the religious life that they formerly enjoyed. And they miss it greatly. So, let’s start with the superscription of Psalm 42. In Matthew 5:6, Jesus says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” When Jesus says those who come to Him will never hunger and those who believe in Him will never thirst, He is saying He will satisfy our hunger and thirst to be made righteous in the sight of God.
Psalm Chapter 42:1-11
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng. Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?” Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Father God, I realize more and more how much I need You to be the restorer of my life and soul. I am needing the living water from on high to refresh my heart and sustain my spirit every moment. Lord, times are tuff and sometimes the stress of life seem to embrace me on every side. I thank You and praise Your name that You are my shelter from the pressures and You alone revive my tired soul. Safeguard me and those I love under the shadow of Your wing. In Jesus’ name I thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:11
"Only Life Changes" 