As A Deer Longs For Flowing Streams
Devotional
Companion to the Psalter
A Devotional Guide to the Psalms
Object:
My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.
When shall I come and behold
the face of God?
My tears have been my food day and night,
while people say to me continually,
"Where is your God?" ...
Why are you cast down, O my soul ...
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my help and my God.
-- Psalm 42:2-3, 5
Theme: Homesick for the house of God
Outline
A poem in three stanzas:
1-5: Stanza 1
1-2 -- Yearning for God.
3-4 -- Memories of great worship times.
5 -- Refrain: Hope in God; he answers my prayers.
6-11: Stanza 2
6-8 -- Past blessings a stark contrast to present trouble.
9-10 -- The scoffs of unbelievers hurt!
11 -- Refrain (as in v. 5).
Psalm 43: Stanza 3
Notes
• Lament
• This psalm begins Book Two (42-72), a collection using Elohim as the name of God (translated "God"), not the proper name, Yahweh (translated "LORD"). It was written by the Levitical family of the Korahites, who had duties in the tabernacle/temple, among whom were temple musicians. (See 1 Chronicles 6:31-33 ff.)
• Psalm 42-43 are a single poem in three stanzas, each ending with the same refrain.
• The writer living near Mount Hermon (v. 6), among heathens who taunted him for his faith (vv. 9-10), is homesick for Jerusalem and the temple, where he would lead processions in festivals (v. 4).
• "Waves and billows" (v. 7) = one trouble after another!
For Reflection
• Many Christians get discouraged when they encounter unbelief or disdain for their faith. What did the psalmist do to find support and relief from his depression?
• Why is corporate worship such a precious and important experience?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, when people look down on us for our faith in you, when troubles pile up and we feel forgotten, when we cannot snap out of our downcast mood, may your Holy Spirit recall us to joys you have given us in the past, and enable us to continue to gather with others to worship you -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
for the living God.
When shall I come and behold
the face of God?
My tears have been my food day and night,
while people say to me continually,
"Where is your God?" ...
Why are you cast down, O my soul ...
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my help and my God.
-- Psalm 42:2-3, 5
Theme: Homesick for the house of God
Outline
A poem in three stanzas:
1-5: Stanza 1
1-2 -- Yearning for God.
3-4 -- Memories of great worship times.
5 -- Refrain: Hope in God; he answers my prayers.
6-11: Stanza 2
6-8 -- Past blessings a stark contrast to present trouble.
9-10 -- The scoffs of unbelievers hurt!
11 -- Refrain (as in v. 5).
Psalm 43: Stanza 3
Notes
• Lament
• This psalm begins Book Two (42-72), a collection using Elohim as the name of God (translated "God"), not the proper name, Yahweh (translated "LORD"). It was written by the Levitical family of the Korahites, who had duties in the tabernacle/temple, among whom were temple musicians. (See 1 Chronicles 6:31-33 ff.)
• Psalm 42-43 are a single poem in three stanzas, each ending with the same refrain.
• The writer living near Mount Hermon (v. 6), among heathens who taunted him for his faith (vv. 9-10), is homesick for Jerusalem and the temple, where he would lead processions in festivals (v. 4).
• "Waves and billows" (v. 7) = one trouble after another!
For Reflection
• Many Christians get discouraged when they encounter unbelief or disdain for their faith. What did the psalmist do to find support and relief from his depression?
• Why is corporate worship such a precious and important experience?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, when people look down on us for our faith in you, when troubles pile up and we feel forgotten, when we cannot snap out of our downcast mood, may your Holy Spirit recall us to joys you have given us in the past, and enable us to continue to gather with others to worship you -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
