Psalm 42: Healing for Life's Losses

 

 Introduction

Psalm 42 is an excellent example of what a Psalm is. A Psalm is written in poetic language and is usually meant to be sung as a song. There is something about singing that helps us to connect with our emotions and pour our heart out to God. In fact some of the words of this Psalm form the basis of a well know Christian song entitled "As the Deer." Here is a link to that song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZv3jzOTE70
Many times I have sat down at the piano and poured out my heart to God while singing this Psalm.

Most scholars believe the Psalm was written by King David. It seems to fit a time in his life when he was exiled from and running for his life (perhaps the time when either Saul or Absalom had forced him to run from Jerusalem). He was in depression at the loss of the opportunity to worship in the temple and being far away from the people he loved. Note that the Psalm or song is written to the chief musician. Probably he was in charge of the worship at the temple. God put this and other Psalms of loss in the Bible because loss is something we all will face in our lives. It is wonderful to be able to turn to the Psalms to help us give words to our emotions. Note also how David uses examples such as the deer seeking water that vividly describe his deepest feelings. The Psalms are given to us to help us express what sometimes is hard for us to express to God. It also is comforting to know that great people of God have gone through the same struggles that we face and rather than turning away from God they actually drew closer to God.

Some Background Information

Psalm 42 and 43 go together. In fact many believe that at one time it was one Psalm. Note the repeated verse in Psalm 42:5 and 11 and Psalm 43:5. Psalm 42 express the inner working of David's thoughts and emotions. He is struggling with his emotions while at the same time reminding himself of God's truth. We are emotional people yet we are also people of faith and at times it is a struggle to reconcile how we feel with God's truth. Yet it is God's truth that comforts David and directs him. This Psalm unlike other Psalms does not come to a resolution. Rather it is a snapshot of the inner working of David's emotions. Depression and grief require a process before there is reorientation and healing. David gives an excellent description of all the feelings that accompany loss: tears; questions; remembering; noone understanding; emptiness; inner struggles.

The key word in Psalm 42 is found in verse 5 and 11. That word is Hope. It is hope in God and the knowledge that He is with us and will restore us that enables us to go through times of loss and grief. Hope is an anchor of our soul (see Hebrews 6:18-19). Without hope depression and loss will destroy us.

Devotional Ideas

1. Use this Psalm as a prayer guide add parts that are specific to your situation.
2. Write down your own Psalm of grief using this Psalm as a model.
3. Pour out your heart to God using the song As the Deer.

Final Thoughts

What a great example God has given us in Psalm 42. How wonderful it is that when we go through difficult times of loss we can pour out our hearts to Him. How valuable to know that no matter how devastated we are in Him there is Hope and recovery. Let us remind ourselves of these wonderful truths as we walk through the difficult seasons of life. May the Lord give you a heart like David's.

What Are You Afraid Of?

Psalm 27

Introduction

What are you afraid of?

Here is an image of the top 10 ten fears people have (courtesy of Google).



Have you experienced something in the image? Can you add something to the image? Spiders do not cause me to fear but the thought of someone I love dying does. We all face different kinds of fears. Many fears are specific to our age or stage in life. The young adults fear of not finding a satisfying job or career gives way to the middle aged parents fear of whether they will be able to pay for education for their children. In the later years the fear shifts again to worrying about retirement. Fear can and will control our lives. For example a fear to commit to a relationship will prevent us from enjoying the benefits and blessings of a life long marriage. Fear of failure will prevent us from taking reasonable risks. Fear is contagious and feeds on itself and grows.

Some Background Information

God's word is full of encouragements for us to replace fear with trust in God. Throughout His ministry Jesus was constantly telling his followers not to be afraid. As I write these words in my study I am looking at a picture on the wall in front of me. It shows the disciples in a boat with a huge storm about to capsize the boat. Despite this danger Jesus is asleep on a cushion in the boat. The disciples are panicking. Jesus wakes up and says, "Why are you so fearful." perhaps you like I have felt that type of fear at a situation and it seems as if Jesus is asleep on the job!

The Psalm can be divided into several parts:
    Verse one sets out the basic theme of the entire Psalm - confidence in the Lord.
    Verses 2-3 mention some general threats that cause fear (we can add our fears to this part)
    Verses 4-6 bring us into the presence of God in the temple, through worhip, prayer, scripture. In the
         presence of God our fears melt away. Everything takes on a different perspective in God's presence.
    Verses 7-12 is a prayer to the Lord for help
    Verses 13 and 14 close the Pslam with the solid confidence in the Lord and the exhortation to wait and
          be strong in Him.

Devotional Ideas

1. Make a list of any fears you have now in your life.
2. Use this Psalm as a prayer and add your fears to the Psalm
3. Consider memorizing this Psalm - I have found great benefit in that.
4. Share this Psalm with someone you know who is in a fearful situation.

Final Thoughts

Psalm 27 is the place to turn when fear threatens us. Put Psalm 27 on speed dial. Just reading it through has a calming effect. Meditating upon it will increase faith and drive out fear. Discussing it with others will deepen its effect on your life.  It is a Psalm of confidence in the Lord. It is definitely a close companion of mine.

Psalm 139

Introduction

Mother's day and thinking about the Psalms just brought to my mind this incredible Psalm 139. As I read it over it is amazing how the Psalm gives us a glimpse of the creative process that goes on within a mother's womb. It is God using a willing person to accomplish his will. Think of all of the great people throughout history who God has knit together in their mother's womb - Abraham Lincoln - Albert Einstein - Joan of Ark and countless others. Think of the many Bible characters who were knit together in their mother's wombs. Think of how many billions of people have been created and specifically knit together just as God wanted them to be. It is no wonder that the Psalmist praises God and worships God throughout the Psalm. It is truly more than we can comprehend.  Apply the Psalm to yourself. Read it as an affirmation for yourself. You were knit together in your mother's womb. God knows you inside and out and you are wonderfully made. reading this Psalm over will give you a true sense of your value. We also see how God works out his plan through the normal processes of life. Truly everything is under His control and used for His purposes.

Some Background Information

Psalm 139's main focus is on God and His characteristics. A helpful division of the Psalm would be as follows:
   1-6: God is all seeing and knowing  (What is Known as Omniscient - Omni meaning all and scient - knowing)
   7-12: God is everywhere (Omnipresent - present all places)
   13-18: God is all powerful the creator (Omnipotent)
   19-24: God is Holy

A famous poem called the Hound of heaven is based on verses 7-12  - here is a link to the poem
 http://www.umilta.net/hound.html

Devotional Ideas

1. Consider memorizing all or a part of the Psalm. I did that a number of years ago and the words ministered to me deeply.
2. Read the Psalm several time each day for one week to fix it in your thoughts.
3. Use the Psalm as a prayer.
4. Have a time of examination of your heart - a good practice for a few minutes before you go to bed each night. Read verses 23 and 24 as a prayer and then review the main events of your day - thank God for what you are thankful for and confess and be forgiven for what you need forgiveness for. Ask for a restful night. Put tomorrow in His hands.

Final Thoughts

This Psalm like all of God's word is powerful. Spend some time with it this week reading it - praying it - thinking about it. Your heart will become as the Psalmist heart.

Psalm 37

Introduction

Psalm 37 is one of my favorite Psalms. It is known as a wisdom Psalm. Unlike most other Psalms which are expressions of our cries or prayers to God, Psalm 37 is God speaking to us through David. It reads much like Proverbs. For that reason it is considered a wisdom Psalm. I read this Psalm regularly particularly when I start to fret (worry - burn up inside) over something that has happened. As I read it and pray through it I start to see a different perspective to whatever the situation that is troubling me is. If you were to go to a doctor and her diagnosis was that you were fretting the doctor would prescribe reading Psalm 37 three times per day until the symptoms of fretting go away. Fretting is a real danger to not only our spiritual life but also our physical well being. It will literally eat us up.

Organization

Psalm 37 like many Psalms has a flow or progression to it. It starts with a situation or strong emotion (fretting) secondly it re-frames the situation in terms of God's perspective and this then results in a resolution of the original problem (fretting). The Psalm are helpful to re-frame our thoughts or experiences. This means we are challenged to look at a situation from a different perspective. In Psalm 37 we are challenged to take the long view - God's view. Verse two is especially key since it reminds us that people and circumstances are not permanent. The Psalm also reminds us that God will judge the wicked in his time. In view of this we are called to trust. Trust that God is in control, trust that He knows best and trust that whether we understand or not we know His plan is working itself out. We are called to wait patiently a key component of trusting in God. The Psalm makes the same point in 2 parts. The first part verses 1-11 and the second part verse 12-end both make the same point with slight variations. Each part could be read separately and you would get the same message. Psalm 37 starts with fretting and ends with peace.

New Testament 

Psalm 37 could very easily be a discussion or explanation of Matthew chapter 5 verse 5 - Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth (see verse 11 of Psalm 37). A good definition of a meek person is one who chooses the way of patient faith not self assertion. It is one who trust in the Lord and is content whatever the situation.

Helpful Hints for Further Study

An interesting study would be to take verses 3-8 and write out each one of the commands (what we are told to do) and study what each one would mean in your life. Some good verses to memorize would be verses 1-2; 4; 7; 16; 28. Why not pick one to memorize this week.

Conclusion

How wonderful it is when we can surrender those things that cause us to fret and rest in simple trust in God. This is God's message to us in Psalm 37.