11 June 2024 - Psalm 42

Where could I go but to the Lord

Psalm 42:1-3(NLT) reads: As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, ‘Where is this God of yours?’

What an amazing Psalm this is! Every verse is laden with emotion and a longing for God. Upon reflection, it's clear that David is in a distressing state. However, what stood out to me is that for every one of these negative emotions, David had a remedy. Let’s examine it: V1. David longs for God – realizes his ultimate comfort lies in turning to the Lord. V2. He thirsts for God - in God’s presence, his thirst will be quenched. V3. David cries - recognizing only God can wipe away his tears. V4. David’s heart is broken - he finds healing in going to the house of God to honour Him through singing and joy. V5. He faces discouragement - he knows that by placing his hope in God and praising Him, he will find encouragement. V6. He is deeply disheartened - he then remembers the great wonders God has done in the past. V7. Amidst raging seas - he reminds himself of God's unfailing love. Hearing the storms of life - he sings and pray to God, who gives him life. V9-11. Feeling forgotten and depressed, suffering in his very bones, David reflects. He asks himself why he is so depressed and discouraged. But then, in the final verse of the Psalm, David finds his ultimate remedy against hopelessness: I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God! I conclude with a song by the Heritage Singers: Where could I go, Oh, where could I go, Seeking a refuge for my soul? Needing a friend to help me in the end, Brother, won't you tell me, Where could I go but to the Lord?