They numbered it as if it were two psalms, but “Psalm 42” and “Psalm 43” form a unit, a single poem presented in three stanzas, marked by this refrain: “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God” (Psalm 42:5-6, 42:11, 43:5).

Stanza 1. The psalmist is used to leading a large congregation (42:4), but now feels lonely and bereft and separated from God (42:2) because everyone says, mockingly, “Where is your God?” (42:3). He pours out his soul to God, remembering how good it used to be (42:4); and his voice is ragged as he asks “Why so downcast?”

Stanza 2. God is mighty like a waterfall or like breaking ocean waves, yet the psalmist is not comforted by God’s power, which seems to roll him around in the surf like a fragment caught in the undertow (42:7). The psalmist is confident that God is faithful and inspiring day and night (42:8), and yet he still feels isolated and forgotten: “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I walk about mournfully because the enemy oppresses me?” (42:9). He is still downcast, and feeling more so as he goes along.

Stanza 3. Now comes the strongest contrast. The psalmist affirms, “You are the God in whom I take refuge” and yet he still feels the lament: “why have you cast me off? Why must I walk about mournfully because of the oppression of the enemy?” (43:2). We should notice this well. What the psalmist advocates to us is not a false and brittle cheeriness papering over the sadnesses of our lives. Instead, there is the recognition that we get a genuine choice about how we will respond to those sadnesses. The psalmist is clear about the strong tension he feels, pulling him in opposite directions: and he deliberately chooses faith rather than despair: “send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling” (43:3), and “then I shall go to the altar of God, to the God of my joy. I will rejoice and praise you on the harp, O God, my God” (43:4). And so now the final refrain almost laughs – certainly it at least shrugs – at the cast-down-in-the-soul feelings: “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God! For I shall again praise him, my help and my God” (43:5).

* * * * *

We remember good old days, Lord, and sometimes we are afraid they have passed us by and we will just keep on feeling sad forever: yet you are still faithful, even when are hearts are bereft. We will hope in you, and we will praise you still, for you are our Savior and our God.

If you find these studies helpful, please Like, Subscribe, Comment, and Share. Thanks!