Hope and Sorrow

How would you define hope?

How would you define sorrow?

How do we respond with grief and affliction?

In Psalm 42-43 we see a biblical way to go about grieving.

The Psalms repeat themselves 3 times, and demonstrate a pattern for us to follow when we are hurting, or feel like God is not listening.

V. 1-2

We see here with David a desperate longing to be before God, and to worship before his God

He has been removed from his kingdom and is being chased and persecuted.

He desperately is longing for God and the joy of being with Him.

V.3-4

Though he thirsts for God, he receives nothing but tears of sorrow both day and night.

Not only that but the world is beating him down, mocking him about his God.

He longs to feel the joy of worshipping God and being with His people.

V. 5

Here we have the reminder that the psalmist offers to himself.

Remember and trust

V.6-7

Again we return to a water theme, instead of the refreshment of a stream and peace from God, it is the pounding waterfall of life that consistently pours over him.

Notice who the waterfall is from.

V.8-10

The psalmist speaks about the faithfulness of God and that he can pray to Him.

The prayer is one pf sorrow, crying out as if God has forgotten him.

He wonders if God has forgotten him.

V. 11

And still even then He remembers God’s faithfulness.

V. 1-2

He now turns from mourning to requesting deliverance from God.

Deliver me, why must I go on mourning. God is the only way of deliverance.

V. 3-4

May it be light and truth that lead him and bring him back to His holy hill.

Often this is our greatest hope, we cry out God for light and truth, praying we can see Him and trust His word as He leads us though life’s miseries.

V. 5

Finally, after declaring his requests to God, the psalmist once more preaches to His own soul.

Discussion Questions:

Why should believers have much more hope than nonbelievers?

What are some times that you have seen God be faithful, or that you have felt the hopelessness described by the psalmist?

How can we model the response of the psalmist in our own sorrows?