Dr. David Carey Dixon - July 9, 2023
Why Are You Downcast, O My Soul? (Psalm 42:1-11)
The particular psalm we want to look at today is Psalm 42, perhaps best known for its metaphor of the deer panting for streams of water. In the first half (vv. 1-5), the psalmist sets forth the motive of his depression: he is far from home, far from Jerusalem, and thirsty for the refreshment of God’s presence; to make things worse, he has to hear discouraging words and scorn for his faith. He does his best to lift his spirits through probing self-talk. Then in the second half (vv. 6-11), the psalmist enters fully into dialogue with God, remembering Yahweh and His faithfulness, unburdening his soul of the deep questions that are troubling him, and laying his pain and sorrow before the Lord. He ends with the same probing question and exhortation to his own soul as in v. 5. Psalm 43, originally part of the same psalm according to a number of ancient Hebrew manuscripts, represents a kind of afterthought on the same theme. He further elaborates on the threat from his adversary, his doubts and sorrow, his hope for God’s light and truth to guide him, and affirms his intention to worship at God’s altar, ending again with the same probing self-talk of Psalm 42.
Scripture References: Psalms 42:1-11
