Battling Despair

Reflections on Psalm 42...

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?
​Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God” (Psm.42:5; 11; 43:5).

This verse appears three times in Psalm 42-43 and provides us with a key thought when considering that the Psalm is dealing with overwhelming despair in life. Read it again, and read it again, and soon you will hear the intense pleading that is going on within the Psalmist's own heart. He is earnestly calling his soul away from despair and toward the only satisfying hope and salvation.

Let us not forget though, that these words are not only on the Psalmists lips but are etched in Scripture. It has its origin in God, and therefore this “self-talk” is not simply a “pep-talk” exercise, but it may be better considered to be “faith-talk” since it carries a distinctly God-breathed character.

The circumstances are extreme. The circumstances are overwhelming with no apparent end in sight. While we may not know the precise context of his despair, we start to feel less removed when we hear the repeated taunts, “Where is your God?” (vs.3; 10). ​

​Whatever his situation we can be certain that it has left him feeling very far away from God; so far that he feels utterly removed from his presence. You will know which moments leave you feeling that God is no longer with you, or where you might say ‘God does not care’, ‘where is God?’

“Why have you forgotten me?” (vs.9)

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