Heaven's Hymnbook: An Overview of the Psalms Volume Two

Psalm 42

Help for the Soul

Overview:

The writer of Psalm 42 cries out unto God for help. Its setting is probably while Israel is in exile. The need for God is pressing, and the psalmist pours out his soul to God as he represents God's people in captivity. What can be done but turn to God for deliverance? His destiny is in God's hands. He recognizes his dire need to have God come to his rescue. His enemies taunt him. This moves his soul to seek God even more intensely.

Commentary:

Verses 1-5: Using the hart (hind) as his prototype, the psalmist describes the intensity of his thirst for God. His soul longs for the time when he can present his case (and that of his people) before the living God.

The taunting by his enemies brings heartache to the extent that he weeps day and night. The enemy's question, Where is thy God? stirs his soul to seek the Lord for help (verses 1-3).

In verse 4, he remembers the past when he frequented the house of God, enjoying the blessings attendant upon worship. He recalls the joy and praise associated with temple worship. Verse 5 brings a ray of hope in the midst of his depression. His desire and determination is again to praise God who shows His face which assures help. When God shows His face, all shadows flee, and the depressed soul rejoices again.

Verses 6-11: Down in the dumps again, the psalmist is even more fervent in his cry for God. He recalls the great acts of God from the past, and this gives him hope and assurance for the future. In spite of the fact that he is 'beneath the billows' (verse 7), he knows God will come to his rescue. He envisions God's acts of kindness in the daytime as well as the song God gives him for the night season. Thus, he will direct his prayer toward Heaven (verse 8).

From the depths of his soul, the psalmist questions why God has forgotten him. The accusations and insinuations of the enemy lead him to be doubtful of God's concern and care (verse 9). Although the enemy taunts him continually (verse 10), he declares his intention to put his hope in God and once again praise God who gives him life and health (verse 11).

Key Verse:

Verse 5—Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

Outline: Teaching/Preaching

Help for the Soul

I. WHY DOES THE SOUL NEED HELP?

A. The soul suffers depression because of the enemy.

B. The soul is lonely when exiled from God.

C. The soul is restless when God's presence seems distant.

II. WHAT IS THE REMEDY FOR THE DEPRESSED SOUL?

A. Faith in God.

B. Commitment to God's bidding.

C. Submission to God's will.

III. WHAT DOES GOD DO FOR THE SOUL?

A. He makes the soul healthy.

B. He makes the soul bright.

C. He makes the soul strong.

Summary:

The Christian should be reminded that even from the depths of despondency, he can trust God for deliverance from the pit (Psalm 40:1-3). There is hope for those who exercise faith in God. In spite of the onslaughts and insults of the enemy (Satan), the believer can be encouraged and enhanced when he turns toward God. God's countenance shines upon His children, bringing hope for the future. God is not only in the future, He is the future. Trust Him, and doubt will fly!

A Concluding Thought: He who seeks the face of God finds help, happiness and health.

Psalm 43

Restore Me, O My God

Overview:

Psalm 43 is in reality an extension of or an addendum to Psalm 42. The same theme permeates both, and the writer employs some of the same expressions to state his case before God. Special attention is given to his depressed situation and to his desire to praise the Lord God of his salvation.

Commentary:

Verses 1, 2: From a heart characterized by fear and trepidation, the psalmist implores God to unfold his case to a nation that he describes as ungodly. He further asks God to set him free from the bondage of the unjust man who had arrayed himself against him. The unjust man poses a threat to his well-being (verse 1).

In verse 2 the psalmist acknowledges that the eternal One is the God of his strength. In view of his relationship to God, he questions why God has seemingly cast him aside. The enemy is no match for God; therefore, the psalmist is puzzled as to why he is oppressed in the face of those who would pull him down. God is greater than all forces of evil.

Verses 3, 4: Because his soul is shrouded in darkness, the psalmist cries out for the light of God to shine upon him, bringing divine truth to him.

Again he expresses his heartfelt desire to go to the house of worship where he can encounter the presence of God once more (verse 3).

In the temple he is sure that he will approach the altar with joy. Then and there he will praise God (verse 4).

Verse 5 is a repetition of 42:11 where the psalmist makes sure and steadfast his hope in God who will recover his health and smile upon his devotion.

Key Verse:

Verse 4—Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.

Outline: Teaching/Preaching

I. A CRY FOR DIVINE DELIVERANCE—Verse 1

II. A CONFESSION OF WHO GOD IS—Verse 2

III. A CALL FOR LIGHT AND TRUTH—Verse 3

IV. A CAUSE FOR REJOICING—Verse 4

V. A CHARACTERIZATION OF GOD—Verse 5

Summary:

When the soul of man, however depressed, turns to the God of salvation, hope springs eternal. Nothing and nobody can extinguish the flame of peace that burns in the heart of the sincere believer.

A Concluding Thought: Trust God and leave the details to Him.

Psalm 44

I Only Want Justice

Overview:

The psalm opens with a review of God's blessings and closes with somewhat of a complaint against God for casting him off along with the people under his care. He outlines what he feels that God had done in favor of his subjects (the nation) and then catalogs what God has done to discomfort them.

Commentary:

Verses 1-3: What a blessed declaration of the great acts of God toward His people! Down through the generations of the psalmist's fathers the good tidings have been passed along (verse 1).

In verses 2 and 3 comes the acknowledgment of how God had driven back the heathen. God's people did not possess the land of promise by their own strength or ingenuity, but by the power and greatness of God who gave them the inheritance because He promised the same to Abraham. God is always faithful to His promise, His purpose and His people.

Verse 4-8: The writer in verse 4 exclaims, Thou art my King, O God. Such an acknowledgment is apropos for God who is King of Kings. In verse 5 the psalmist declares his faith in God to crush the enemy and all who rise up against him and his people.

It is not by might of man nor his sword, but by the strength of God that the enemy will be defeated (verses 5, 6). All boasting is in God who alone saves His people in the hour of peril (verses 7, 8).

Verses 9-21: Complaining again, the psalmist charges God with turning away from him and the people he governs. He complains that God had apparently aligned Himself with Israel's enemies resulting in the following:

They are like sheep led to the slaughter (verse 11).

They are sold to the enemy with no profit to God (verse 12).

They have become a reproach to their neighbors (verse 13).

They have become a byword on the lips of those who hate them (verse 14).

The psalmist admits his confusion and declares he has been reproached by the enemy and the avenger (verses 15, 16).

In spite of all their misfortunes, they have not forgotten God, nor have they falsely interpreted the covenant God made with them (verse 17). Nor have they turned their back on the most Holy One, although He has covered them with the shadow of death (verses 18, 19).

The God who knows the secrets of all hearts would know if His people had forgotten Him or put their trust in a strange god (verses 20, 21).

Verses 22-26: The psalmist makes an impassioned plea for God's mercy and compassion upon His people in view of their desolate plight (verses 22-26).

Key Verse:

Verse 23—Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.

Outline: Teaching/Preaching

I. A PROCLAMATION OF GOD'S GREAT WORKS—Verses 1-8

II. A PRONOUNCEMENT OF ISRAEL'S CONFUSION—Verses 9-21

III. A PETITION FOR GOD'S HELP—Verses 22-26

Summary:

We do well to acknowledge all the good things God has