May 17, 2017 (Wednesday)
Psalms 42 and 43 belong with each other. Psalm 43 continues the prayer and thoughts of the Psalmist. The Temple was standing and its services were being carried on, but the psalmist was no longer able to participate. Interpretations and opinions of the commentators vary as to historical circumstances and identity of the writer. One clear idea shows itself: the psalmist longs to be able to participate in worship in the Temple, but circumstances prevent his doing so.
Psalm 42
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Thirsting for God in Trouble and Exile.
For the choir director. A Maskil of the sons of Korah.
I. I YEARN FOR GOD (1-2)
1 As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So my soul pants for You, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God;
When shall I come and appear before God?
II. I WAS ONCE HAPPY (3-4)
3 My tears have been my food day and night,
While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
4 These things I remember and I pour out my soul within me.
For I used to go along with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God,
With the voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival.
III. MY PLIGHT IS PITIABLE (5-7)
5 Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why have you become disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him
For the help of His presence.
6 O my God, my soul is in despair within me;
Therefore I remember You from the land of the Jordan
And the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls;
All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me.
IV. YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN ME, GOD (8-10)
8 The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime;
And His song will be with me in the night,
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 a shattering of my bones, my adversaries revile me,
While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
REFRAIN:
11 Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why have you become disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.
Psalm 43
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Prayer for Deliverance.
V. DELIVER ME FROM MY ENEMIES (1-2)
1 Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation;
O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man!
2 For You are the God of my strength; why have You rejected me?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
VI. RESTORE ME TO YOUR SANCTUARY (3-4)
3 O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me;
Let them bring me to Your holy hill
And to Your dwelling places.
4 Then I will go to the altar of God,
To God my exceeding joy;
And upon the lyre I shall praise You, O God, my God.
REFRAIN:
5 Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why are you disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.