“My Soul Thirsts” - Psalm 42 (Day 1)

"Why, my soul, are you downcast?" I know... it's not the type of question you were expecting to greet you on a Monday and probably caught you off guard. But, as we turn the page to a new week, and with it, a new psalm, we encounter the remarks of an anguished soul. Despair is the backdrop for Psalm 42 - anguish seeps from its pages. But, as we reflect on its words, we will learn how we, as Christ-followers, pull ourselves out of a bit of despair and find our footing even when our immediate circumstances remain the same. So, before we begin our exploration of Psalm 42, I want to provide a space for you to consider and pray about the places where your soul is downcast. Don’t run from these places, but instead lean into them while leaning on God for support. 

So far in our journey through the Psalms, we've reflected mainly on the words of King David, and rightly so, as he penned large portions of it. Yet, other voices contributed to this treasured collection of poems and spiritual songs - people like Asaph, Solomon, Moses, and others who aren't named. The sons of Korah, a group of priests who oversaw and led worship at the temple, wrote eleven of the Psalms, including Psalm 42. These words, expressing the depths of the human heart, were most  likely used in public worship. 

A bit of context is needed to bring more insight into the words we are about to read. One of Korah's sons is far from home, away from family and friends, and the place where he felt a particular closeness and connection to God - the temple. Instead, they find themselves far away from Jerusalem, with some scholars suggesting they're in exile. Facing a relentless onslaught of harassment from their captors, they endure constant ridicule for their faith in a seemingly absent, powerless, and silent God. Psalm 42 combines lament, longing, and a dogged loyalty to God. 

As you read Psalm 42, pay attention and make note of any words, phrases, or themes that stand out to you.

Psalm 42 says this:

1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.

2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?

3 My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”

4 These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.

5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

6 My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.

7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.

8 By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.

9 I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?”

10 My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?”

11 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

That’s a lot to unpack and an impossible task to do in a single devotional - but that’s the beauty of sitting with Psalm 42 for an entire week. It enables us to take our time, slow down, and chew on all its wisdom. What we’ll notice this week during our time together are five habits we should display as Christ-followers when we find our soul downcast. So, read Psalm 42 once again, but this time,  just the first two verses:

Psalm 42:1-2 says this:

1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.

2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?

Take a moment to reflect on what you just read:

• How did wrestling with feelings of despair reveal the author’s spiritual thirst?

In an attempt to capture the depths of what he was experiencing, the author leans on familiar imagery in Scripture – water and thirst. This time it’s a deer on the run, in the desert,  at the point of exhaustion - the deer needs to plant themselves by the bubbling brook and lap up its goodness or they will perish. Far away from home in exile, facing relentless taunting from his enemies, this stranger in a strange land cries out much the same. The author finds himself beyond thirsty, but he’s not looking for relief from his circumstance; he has an aching longing for a relationship with his Creator. 

Temporary things never lead to long-term fulfillment. They may wet our whistle, but they’re incapable of quenching our thirst. Unlike the world’s desires that lead to empty places and dry wells, our fulfillment in Christ is tied to a greater, sustaining source. Like our bodies require water to function, our souls desperately need God to flourish. Because God created us in His image, we have a spiritual thirst that only God can satisfy. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6). As we walk with God, we begin to realize that all of our longings and desires find their resting place in Him. 

Take a moment and consider…Where do you find yourself spiritually thirsty? 

Read today’s passage slowly one more time to remind ourselves that we stand blessed and forgiven. Pay attention to what’s not present in the life of the blessed individual.

Psalm 42:1-2 says this:

1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.

2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?

There'll be hunger pains, and it will take a toll on one's body, but an individual can survive without food for weeks. However, our access to water is a different story and a more dire need - an unquenched thirst can be deadly, with three days being our limit. It is this picture of thirst that the author uses to describe his spiritual need - his longing to connect with God and His community inside the temple. The beauty of the Gospel message speaks to God's unlimited supply of life-giving water and our unhindered access to God - our every longing satisfied. Where can we go and meet with God? The cross settled that question.

No matter where we are, and regardless of what we face, we're welcomed in His presence. He's not in a temple; He resides within our hearts. There will be seasons, like the author encountered, when God feels distant and a million miles away - but He is by our side, bringing us comfort, guidance, and most importantly, His presence. Those dark nights of the soul give way to the morning where His new mercies greet us. God removed every obstacle that could hinder us and invited us to come close confidently. We have complete access to Him, and therein, He has full access to us. The miracle of the prayer is not the answer but the access. We must ask ourselves what we're doing with what we have at our disposal? Access is more than just entering in; it's also about staying in. 

So, as we begin to wrap up our time together, we want to provide you some space to respond to what we read and maybe to what God is trying to say to you through Psalm 42. First, take a moment to process this question…What are you doing with the access to God that the cross gives you? 

Another question to consider is this…How can you quench your spiritual thirst by being aware of His presence as you go about your day? 

PRAYER

Father God, You satisfy my every thirst - all of my longings find their fulfillment in You.

When my soul is downcast, help me to remember and trust that You care, You hear my cries, and You are with me.

Let me lean in to the access I have to You, and run to You unhindered with my worries, fears, and concerns. Amen.