Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
9/2 Reading Portions: 1 Samuel 26; 1 Corinthians 7; Ezekiel 5; Psalms 42-43
Psalm 42:5, 11; 43:5
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.
WHY
The human condition is prone to depression. It is even more so among the redeemed, of those saved by grace through the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s interesting that thrice we are reminded of this from the readings assigned by the M’Cheyne Bible reading plan. Psalm 42:11 and Psalm 43:5 have the exact words in Hebrew. Psalm 42:5 is missing one Hebrew word, however. It is still correctly translated since the addition of the word in Psalm 42:11 and Psalm 43:5 both emphasize the question, “Why?” Because we fail, we fall, and we tend toward faithlessness at times, our weakness will cast our souls down from our seated position with Christ (Eph 2:6). We know we are saved, filled with Christ’s Spirit, and empowered, so when we do succumb to temptations, it is a most bitter defeat and an unbearable shame. Since we are not always privy to things placed into the hand of our sovereign God (Ezek 37:3), we may misunderstand His plans, purposes, and priorities; or at the very least, we may become confused about them. Such may cause turmoil within us. Each time we become discouraged, however, the Holy Spirit encourages us through God’s Word, saying, “Hope in God.” This makes sense because we know that…
hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:5
That hope causes us to praise Him; and our praises unto God drive away our downcast condition and inner turmoil, just as David’s harp and hymn drove away the evil spirit from Saul (1 Sam 16:23). Hallelujah! What a Savior!
O why, my soul, are you cast down?
And why within does havoc wreak?
Hope in Christ, where our praise abounds,
And our souls He securely keeps.
