Psalm 42
1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
4 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.
5 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.
6 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.
7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
8 Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
11 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.
In this incredible Psalm, the author, most likely David, was struggling between faith and defeat. His discouragement was taking hold of him and causing Him to loose sight of God. Defeat begins when our eyes leave the Savior and focus on our circumstances, but faith begins when we keep our focus on Christ and rest in what He is doing.
In David's discouragement, he reminds himself of what God had done, praised God for who He was, and encouraged himself to fix his eyes on the unchanging Savior. Though all around him was shaking and uncertainty would seek to grab hold of him, he reminded himself to HOPE IN GOD.
This small phrase seems cliche, but hope leads to peace. Hope leads to rest. Hope leads to security. Hope leads to a solid foundation. Hope leads to Christ's love. Hope leads to an encouraged soul. Hope leads to joy. Hope leads to victory!
If you're between faith and defeat, HOPE IN GOD! He is unchanging. This small window of uncertainty will only last a moment, and it will be a life changing moment... just HOPE IN GOD!
We hope this song encourages you this week to remember that His promises are true!
Find the sheet music for this song on our website!
Find this song and others on our album "He Is Still God"