Psalm 42:6–10
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(NKJV)
6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me;
Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan,
And from the heights of Hermon,
From the Hill Mizar.
7 Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;
All Your waves and billows have gone over me.
8 The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,
And in the night His song shall be with me—
A prayer to the God of my life.
9 I will say to God my Rock,
“Why have You forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10 As with a breaking of my bones,
My enemies reproach me,
While they say to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”
Review:
1. We have already seen how the true child of God deals with his waning relationship with God.
2. He carefully weighs his current status with where he’s been and where he wants to be.
Transition: Now…
Introduction:
Introduction:
1. The Psalmist tackles the tough situations of life.
2. These could be pesky problems or full out depression or discouragement.
3. The Psalmist makes it clear these times will come and won’t be easy.
Transition: But he gives us some tidbits…
Study:
Study:
I. The true child of God clings tenaciously to his faith in God.
I. The true child of God clings tenaciously to his faith in God.
A. He sees God in places others don’t.
A. He sees God in places others don’t.
1. He experiences the pain of life just like everyone else.
1. He experiences the pain of life just like everyone else.
Note: There is no such thing as a “super-Christian” who isn’t prone to some kind of weakness.
Illustration: The new Superman
Note: We certainly need to prepare ourselves for the day when life presents challenges only God can handle.
2. He sees God all around him in those dire times.
2. He sees God all around him in those dire times.
Note: The Psalmist describes the attitude of this man of agony by describing his focus.
Word Study: With three illustrations the Psalmist shows his dedication to his God. The “land of the Jordan” could describe the Holy Land in general but more likely alludes to the actual Jordan Valley which creates a natural eastern border to the Israel proper. The reference to “Hermon” refers to the peaks of one of the most northern most points in Israel. The “Hill Mizer” is an unknown location but probably refers to one of the smaller peaks in the same range as Hermon.
The final illustration is more generic and is simply translated “waterfalls.” What these waterfalls are we don’t know, but many feel it refers not to waterfalls proper but to “waterspouts.” If this is correct, this may refer to the Mediterranean which is the natural western border to the land of Israel.
Note: It seems the Psalmist looked for consolation not in random thoughts about God, but in places he knew God had already done great works for His people: The Promised Land.
Word Study: All this is contrasted by the use of “deep calls to deep.” Once again it is difficult to understand exactly what the Psalmist is saying, but the word was used to describe the chaotic condition before God created the universe. This chaos of life begins to overwhelm him like “waves” that have overwhelmed him.
Note: So the Psalmist remembers God even through all the chaos of life.
B. He sees God in His promises when others don’t.
B. He sees God in His promises when others don’t.
1. He understands God through promises He made.
1. He understands God through promises He made.
Note: The Psalmist uses the idea of God’s covenant promise here.
Word Study: Once again our favorite word for “love” appears. This is “hesed,” God’s covenant love. It refers to His precious promise to always love His people.
Note: Just as the Psalmist does here, we need to cling to the promises of when we don’t necessarily see His presence.
Illustration: When You Can’t See His Hand Trust His Heart
2. He understands how important prayer is to this process.
2. He understands how important prayer is to this process.
Note: The Psalmist makes it clear he will remain in prayer.
Word Study: The Psalmist continues to issue “prayers” and “songs” to God. What are these songs? They are songs of faith as he encourages himself in the Lord.
Question: Are we so dedicated to God that in the toughest times, we still seek Him?
Point: We must seek the only one who can truly get us through our problems.
II. The true child of God may at times question God’s intentions.
II. The true child of God may at times question God’s intentions.
A. He may not always understand God’s plan.
A. He may not always understand God’s plan.
1. He still sees his circumstances.
1. He still sees his circumstances.
Note: The way the Psalmist deals with his circumstance is what is important here.
Word Study: Yes, the Psalmist sees his circumstances. However, it is clear he has the right focus. He introduces this whole idea by calling God his “rock.” This word shows the Psalmist clearly has his complaints moving in the correct direction. Instead of complaining of circumstances, he brings his circumstances to his “rock,” God.
Question: Are we so balanced in our spiritual walk that we can freely bring anything to God knowing He is the one who directs all of life?
2. He still asks questions.
2. He still asks questions.
Note: The Psalmist understood the important principle that it isn’t wrong to question God.
Illustration: Jesus on the cross
Note: It isn’t questioning God that is the problem but how we do that.
B. He may not always understand the criticism God allows.
B. He may not always understand the criticism God allows.
1. He weathers that criticism.
1. He weathers that criticism.
Note: As the Psalmist began to experience those difficulties, his critics immediately arose to use it against him.
Illustration: Sharks circling
Note: The important idea here is to understand that criticism will come despite our circumstances.
2. He correctly identifies that criticism.
2. He correctly identifies that criticism.
Note: The Psalmist repeats an idea in this case.
Word Study: Once more we see his critics saying, “Where is your God?” This identifies them as those who in no way share the same faith as he. So this criticism is actually directed at God, not him.
Note: The idea here is that, even though the Psalmist pines under the burden of criticism, he still understands it as negativity directed to God rather than himself.
Point: Despite his questioning God, the child of God still defaults to trusting God.