Living toward the End: Psalms 42, 43 (6)

Opening Prayer: Psalm 42.9-11
I will say to God my Rock,
“Why have You forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”
As with a breaking of my bones,
My enemies reproach me,
While they say to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”
Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.

Psalm 42.9-11
((Nettleton: Come Thou Fount)
Lord, forget me not in mourning ‘neath my foes’ oppressing hand.
See their mocking, hear their scorning; help my weary soul to stand.
Hope in God, praise Him forever when despair on you has trod.
Look to Jesus; never, never doubt your gracious, saving God.

Read Psalm 42.9-11; Psalm 43.3-5

Preparation
1. Where did the psalmists turn for relief from their disquietude?

2. What did they look to as their great “help”?

Meditation
The sons of Korah knew where to turn in their time of disquietude: the Presence of the Lord. God alone was their Rock – not their changeable circumstances (42.9). They could ask Him “Why?” and expect that, by the light of His Word, He would illuminate their distress and lead them into His Presence and glory (42.10;  43.3). Then, seeing God in His beauty, and being renewed in hope, they could wonder aloud why they had ever asked “Why?” in the first place, when all along the help of God was with them (42.11; 43.5).

God alone is our hope – of glory, joy, everlasting peace and wellbeing, and unbroken fellowship of love. He is with us always, even to the end of the age (Matt. 28.20). We may become distracted from Him, and feel like He has forgotten us (42.9); but that is never the case. He calls us to dwell in the light of His Word and His face (Ps. 16.8, 11), for only in His unchanging Presence and glory can we grow through the changing circumstances of our lives, so that we can praise and enjoy our God more and more.

Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Asking good questions is a skill set; as is asking the right questions.

God asked Job a good question: “Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?” And Job eventually answered, “…I have uttered what I did not understand. Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know” (Job 38.2; 42.3). A good question and a good answer.

The sons of Korah asked, “When shall I come and appear before God?” “Why are you downcast, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? Why do You cast me off?” And God would answer them, “Hope in Me.” Again, some allowable questions with a good answer.

Zacharias asked the angel Gabriel, “How shall I know this?” And for that doubting question Gabriel told him, “…you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time” (Lk. 1.18, 20). Buzz. Not a good question because it was leveled without a shred of faith, and the response was well-deserved.

Mary asked the angel Gabriel a question too, but it was more about logistics than a lack of faith: “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” The answer she received was explanatory and without condemnation. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God” (Lk. 1.34, 35). It was understood that the information given to her was mind-blowing at best, and she was allotted at least one free question.

A really good question that we’re always allowed to ask is this one:

“And can it be that I should gain
An int’rest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?”
  - Charles Wesley, 1738

And the answer: “Because I love you.” Our hope is not misplaced.

Reflection
1. What does it mean to hope in God? Hope for what?

2. How do you experience the countenance – Presence – of God? Does this encourage you?

3. What is one question that you think we should bring to the Lord day by day?

Do not despair of salvation, O soul, he is saying: you have God as Savior; in him you gain sound hope. Quench your discouragement and receive consolation.Theodoret of Cyr (393-466), Commentary on Psalm 42.7

Closing Prayer: Psalm 43.3-5
Let the Word of God lead you into the Presence of King Jesus, until you see the glory in His face, and feel your hope in Him renewed. Rejoice, give thanks, praise the Lord, and commit your day to Him.

Psalm 43.3-5
(Hyfrydol: Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners!)
Let Your light and truth precede me, bring me to Your holy hill.
To Your holy altar lead me, let me dwell within Your will.
Lord, my joy and consolation, You, Who grace to me impart,
hear my joyful adoration; I will praise You from the heart.

When my weary soul is troubled, when despair upon me falls,
let my hope in You be doubled, let me on Your mercy call.
God, my help, my great salvation, I will praise You to Your face
In Your care my soul I station; let me know Your glorious grace!

T. M. and Susie Moore

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (Williston: Waxed Tablet Publications, 2006), available by clicking here.