Bro. Bruce's commentaries for the books of Genesis through 2Kings are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just mail your request for COMMENTARY ON (BOOK NAME) to the address above.

PSALM

CHAPTER 42

1 To the chief Musician, Mas'-chil, for the sons of Ko'rah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

Psalm 42 and 43 go together. They probably once comprised one song. But they are readily identifiable as two.

These songs are a "Maschil," (Mah skeel'), which probably means they were songs for certain festivals or feasts.

They were written in dedication to the "sons of Korah." Korah was Aaron and Moses' first cousin who led a revolt against Moses' leadership in the wilderness (Numbers 16). Korah and most of his family were "swallowed up" by the earth. The 250 men who accompanied Korah with censors were burned to death by a fire from God. But apparently, some of Korah's sons did not side with him in the revolt and were spared (Numbers 26:11).

The psalmist here describes very poetically his desire for God. Just as a deer desires the water of the streams (verse 1), so he desires the presence and closeness of God.

2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? 3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? 4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. 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. 6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.

The writer is very distressed because for some reason he is unable to go to the temple and praise God. He is obviously in Northeast of the Sea of Galilee near Mt. Hermon (verse 6).

People are mocking him (verse 3), as he rememers going to the temple and praising God with the "multitude" (verse 4).

The refrain (verse 5) is repeated in verse 11, and in 43:5. This refrain shows the powerful faith that the writer has. Even though he feels as though God is not present, he TRUSTS God and all his "hope" is placed in God.
((Have you ever been in a position when you did not "feel" the presence of God but you KNEW that you trusted Him explicitly?

7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. 8 Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. 9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? 10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God? 11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

At the foot of a waterfall one can FEEL the power of the water as it surges over the rocks. There is the understanding of gravitational flow. There is the comprehension of erosion. Yet there is a magnificent realization of rocks that CONTINUE under the pressure. Though they WEAR, they are not CONSUMED.

It is the same with the difficulties of life. As we face the "billows" of sorrow which sometime sweep over us, we realize the LASTING power of the presence of God and His strength within us.

Indeed, "Deep calleth unto deep!" God speaks to us in the natural wonders of a waterfall!

Notice that even though deep sorrow is upon his soul, the psalmist finds comfort and strength in singing to God and praying (verse 8).

Because of that strength, he can speak to God (Who is the ROCK of eternity - verse 9). He KNOWS God is present, even though he may not FEEL it! And he can ask God "WHY?" His question is much like that of Job. "Why are You allowing me to be held under oppression?"

He describes his feelings as though a "sword" were striking him because people are continually asking him "WHERE is your God?" And they are probably asking, "Why isn't He helping you?"

Yet, he STILL can maintain the realization of God's presence and power. Because he is being kept ALIVE (verse 11). He determines NOT to be depressed, because he can still sing and praise God!

What a GREAT thought! If I am still able to sing and praise God, then He is still WITH me; because it is GOD, and God ALONE, Who keeps me alive!

CHAPTER 43

1 Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. 2 For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? 3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. 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.

"Judge me" means deliver me. The psalmist is not only desirous that God would save him from sin, but also from sinners. Jeremiah says,

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can KNOW it?" (Jeremiah 17:9)