"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." — Psalm 43:5
It is of at least passing interest that our text for today repeats a theme twice recorded in Psalm 42 (v. 5, 11.) Some have argued, consequently, that the two may have originally constituted a single psalm. But, in fact, the multiple occurrence may be a reflection of the priority and frequency of the problem with which it is related. That problem, as I see it, is the problem of spiritual despair and the conflict it creates for the believer.
"Why art thou cast down… " the inspired writer asks, because the enlightened believer is first honest about his feelings, and at the same time mindful of the fact that despair, fear and defeat are inconsistent with a vibrant faith. The result is that when a true believer suffers from depression of spirit, he suffers to a far greater degree than the ungodly in similar circumstances. The unconverted has only to struggle with the issue at hand; the Christian struggles with the adversity and with a guilt-threatening awareness that his defeat is a betrayal of chinks in his spiritual armor, an indication of a flagging faith.
Such despair is not uncommon, even among the most valiant saints. Who among us is not aware of the struggles of Job who, as we noted not long ago, could not find God in his spiritual darkness? Yet he was commended of God as "a perfect and an upright man" who feared God and hated evil. David, in many of the psalms, reveals his struggles with great candor when confronted by his enemies, the misunderstanding of his friends, or crushed by his sins. The apostle Peter's failures and accompanying tears are well known to any familiar with the gospels. Even Paul, the spiritual giant, knew the pain generated by the pressures of this life and needed spiritual reinforcement. Writing to the Corinthians he says in part, "We are cast down, but not destroyed…" Like the psalmist, he struggled on occasion and was "cast down," but persevered by a tenacious faith. Referring to one such occasion he said, "Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me and strengthened me… [II Tim. 4:17]."
The redeeming factor here is the believer's discernment, which is twofold; David recognizes the impropriety of his state, and he understands the direction of his deliverance. "Hope in God." His belief is not shaken by his burden. He knows where to go for help, and instructs his soul accordingly. Hope is a powerful component of faith, and can surmount the valley of despair. We are reminded, "we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope…but if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it [Rom. 8:24-25]." This is God's will, that when all else seems to fail, we cling to hope, "Which hope we have for an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made [our] high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec [Heb. 6:19-20]." In days so dark we can scarcely see, hope provides a window through which we can see our once suffering Savior seated in the position of victory, encouraging and interceding for us even as He said to Peter, "I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not [Luke 22:32]."
Then, when hope revives the believer is moved to worship. David says, "I shall yet praise Him, Who is the health of my countenance, and my God." It is God Who, by His grace and sustaining power, can replace the frown of despair with the radiance of assurance that "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us [Rom. 8:18]," giving "health" to our countenance. And He is our God, in season and out of season. As the scriptures remind us, "… this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death. [Ps. 48:14]."
However dark today's skies, be assured that there is Son-light above it all. Hope in God can lift the flagging soul and give us confidence for tomorrow and "the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (cf. Isa. 61:3)."
For our good,
"Pastor" Frasier
It is of at least passing interest that our text for today repeats a theme twice recorded in Psalm 42 (v. 5, 11.) Some have argued, consequently, that the two may have originally constituted a single psalm. But, in fact, the multiple occurrence may be a reflection of the priority and frequency of the problem with which it is related. That problem, as I see it, is the problem of spiritual despair and the conflict it creates for the believer.
"Why art thou cast down… " the inspired writer asks, because the enlightened believer is first honest about his feelings, and at the same time mindful of the fact that despair, fear and defeat are inconsistent with a vibrant faith. The result is that when a true believer suffers from depression of spirit, he suffers to a far greater degree than the ungodly in similar circumstances. The unconverted has only to struggle with the issue at hand; the Christian struggles with the adversity and with a guilt-threatening awareness that his defeat is a betrayal of chinks in his spiritual armor, an indication of a flagging faith.
Such despair is not uncommon, even among the most valiant saints. Who among us is not aware of the struggles of Job who, as we noted not long ago, could not find God in his spiritual darkness? Yet he was commended of God as "a perfect and an upright man" who feared God and hated evil. David, in many of the psalms, reveals his struggles with great candor when confronted by his enemies, the misunderstanding of his friends, or crushed by his sins. The apostle Peter's failures and accompanying tears are well known to any familiar with the gospels. Even Paul, the spiritual giant, knew the pain generated by the pressures of this life and needed spiritual reinforcement. Writing to the Corinthians he says in part, "We are cast down, but not destroyed…" Like the psalmist, he struggled on occasion and was "cast down," but persevered by a tenacious faith. Referring to one such occasion he said, "Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me and strengthened me… [II Tim. 4:17]."
The redeeming factor here is the believer's discernment, which is twofold; David recognizes the impropriety of his state, and he understands the direction of his deliverance. "Hope in God." His belief is not shaken by his burden. He knows where to go for help, and instructs his soul accordingly. Hope is a powerful component of faith, and can surmount the valley of despair. We are reminded, "we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope…but if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it [Rom. 8:24-25]." This is God's will, that when all else seems to fail, we cling to hope, "Which hope we have for an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made [our] high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec [Heb. 6:19-20]." In days so dark we can scarcely see, hope provides a window through which we can see our once suffering Savior seated in the position of victory, encouraging and interceding for us even as He said to Peter, "I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not [Luke 22:32]."
Then, when hope revives the believer is moved to worship. David says, "I shall yet praise Him, Who is the health of my countenance, and my God." It is God Who, by His grace and sustaining power, can replace the frown of despair with the radiance of assurance that "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us [Rom. 8:18]," giving "health" to our countenance. And He is our God, in season and out of season. As the scriptures remind us, "… this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death. [Ps. 48:14]."
However dark today's skies, be assured that there is Son-light above it all. Hope in God can lift the flagging soul and give us confidence for tomorrow and "the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (cf. Isa. 61:3)."
For our good,
"Pastor" Frasier
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