Rex H. Henderson

PSALMS 42-43

To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? When 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. Why 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. O 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. Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God? Why 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. Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. Then 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. Why 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. (Psalm 42-43, KJV)

Psalms 42-43

Depression and It’s Cure

Hebrew manuscripts list these two
As one poem which seems odd.
The author is away, and sighs for
The long-loved house of his God.

Missing divine presence, he sinks
Into spiritual depression struggling
With doubts and fears. Most of us
Have been there; some yet doubting.

Causes of his spiritual depression:
1. Forced absence from the temple of God.
2. Taunts of unbelievers.
3. Memories of better days.
4. The overwhelming trials of life.
5. Failure of God to act quickly.
6. Attacks from the ungodly.

The cure for his spiritual depression:
1. He does not give in to depression.
2. Challenges himself to do what he needs to do.

“Put your hope in God”

3. He reminds himself of a great certainty.

To “hope in God.”

When he returns to Mount Zion,
He writes, “Then will I go to the altar of God,
To God, my joy and my delight.
Cure is not in us. He seeks God’s face.

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