Psalm 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.
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me?
Hope in God: for I shall yet praise him,
Who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Why am I dwelling in depression?
That is the question asked in both Psalm 42 and 43.
Psalm 42:9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
Psalm 43:2 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?
Why am I dwelling in depression?
I believe investigating to find the roots of despair is worth some effort.
Many find themselves in circumstances that cause unhappiness.
Can you imagine telling a mother that buried her child that she should be cheerful? To do such a thing would be insensitive and cruel. She has cause to grieve and must be allowed to do so. How many folks are forced to fake a smile when they should be given the grace to grieve?
For some, there is a medical reason for sadness and depression.
I firmly believe that an imbalance within our chemical makeup is sometimes to blame for depression. The fall of Adam released many a malady upon mankind; before sin, there was no sickness of body or mind. I have heard ministers claim that all forms of depression come from a lack of faith, but the Scriptures do not confirm their view. In these cases, one must be careful of misdiagnosis. I have been told that this is one significant problem with mental health; seeking an exterior reason for an interior issue creates all kinds of additional difficulties.
Sometimes, I dare say many times, the reason for grief is a Godless perspective.
Perhaps there is disappointment because of misplaced faith.
Could it be that what was advertised to bring joy didn’t fulfill its promise?
Someone made a simple acrostic for Joy that I think is worth remembering.
J = Jesus Y = You and zero in between.
Jonathan Edwards said this about Joy
“Fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of earthly friends, are but shadows; but the enjoyment of God is the substance. These are but scattered beams; but God is the sun. These are but streams; but God is the fountain. These are but drops; but God is the ocean.”[1]
Twice the Psalmist inquired the reason for his sadness in Psalm 42 and 43, so three times he reminds himself of hope in his Lord.
Psalm 42:5 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.
Psalm 42:11 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.
Psalm 43:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, Who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Whatever the reason for dwelling in depression, there is hope in God. He can bring order out of chaos, diamonds out of coal, beauty out of ashes, health from sickness, and give grace for sin.
Dear one in despair – Remind yourself like the Psalmist; there is hope in God!
My 2021 Bible Reading Plan
April 6, 2021
[1] Edwards, J. (1974). The works of Jonathan Edwards (Vol. 2, p. 244). Banner of Truth Trust.