Psalm 42 and 43

These 2 Psalms appear to be one, united by the same theme and refrain.  I'll treat them as such.
Written by the sons of Korah......leaders in worship.

In OT times, Jerusalem was the place established by God for His dwelling place and it was where His chosen people were to worship Him.  The people would go there to meet with God at established times appointed by Him.  As they went, they were led in worship by song leaders, singing encouragement. (see the songs of ascent, Psalm 120-134).     Today, we have direct access to God through the work of Christ.

The Psalmist is, for some reason away from Jerusalem for a time and is unable to participate in worship at the temple.  He is experiencing an overwhelming depression because of this.....longing to be before God in His house, recalling days when he was there and led the people in procession up to God's house.

I love the expression of longing for God.....as the deer longs for life sustaining and thirst quenching water,
so his soul longs for God.  As water is necessary for life, so being in God's presence is necessary for spiritual life.

He compares the tears he now cries to the shouts of joy and praise of worship in Jerusalem......

.....and he encourages himself with these words in the refrain of the song:

"Why are you cast down oh my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, my Salvation and my God!".

Stanza 2 of the song begins in verse 5:  He mourns his separation from God's presence, likening his turmoil to that of water in motion.....waterfalls crashing on the rocks, or the turmoil of great bodies of water meeting each other.  But.....he acknowledges God's voice even in this, and asks the very honest human question, "Why?   Why am I experiencing this great turmoil?"

He comforts himself once again with the refrain:  

""Why are you cast down oh my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, my Salvation and my God!".

Stanza 3 begins in Psalm 43.  Here he uses legal terms asking for God's help:  vindicate me and defend me.
God is his refuge, yet he feels forgotten and rejected by Him, resulting in his depression.  He pleads for mercy, asking for God's Light and Truth to rescue him and return him to his prior station in Jerusalem......leading the people in worship, and indeed to be before God's presence himself!

Verses 4-5 express a theme we would all do well to fully understand and embrace.....and bring comfort to the Psalmist in his separation from the events and circumstances he longs for.....

   Our joy and hope are not found in events or circumstances.  
   Our joy and hope are found in God alone.

Therefore:  

""Why are you cast down oh my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, my Salvation and my God!".


Would that we would all take this Psalm to heart, and remember it in times of turmoil!
Would that we would long for God like we thirst for life sustaining water!
Would that we would run to Him, not only in times of trouble but daily spend time at the feet of Jesus,
learning from Him as Mary was commended for she "chose that good part (sitting at Jesus feet), which shall not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:41-42 NKJB)