Dejected, Not Done

Psalm 42:1 CSB

As a deer longs for flowing streams, so I long for you, God.

INTRO—

The Power of A CHORUS (a refrain)…

Let It Go (Let it go. Let it go…)

I Get Around (I get around [round, round, I get around], from town to town…)

We are the Champions (We are the champions my friend, and we’ll keep on fighting to the end…)

Stayin’ Alive (Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, Stayin alive, stayin alive)

In the Garden (And he walks with me, and he talks with me…)

How Great Thou Art (Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee…)

Awesome God (Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above…)

Psalms 42 & 43 have a definitive chorus/refrain…

Psalm 42:5 “Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God.”

Psalm 42:11 “Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God.”

Psalm 43:5 “Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God.”

The Sons of Korah…

2 Chronicles 20:19 “Then the Levites from the sons of the Kohathites and the Korahites stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel shouting loudly.”

…have written these psalms [this psalm] as a lament…while hindered (captive, exile) from joining in the worship in Jerusalem.

They were dejected [down cast; discouraged; sinking down], but not done [hope in; wait for; trust…God — For I WILL still praise him].

What made this chorus helpful…necessary?

Desperate. [Psalm 42.1-5]

[[Desperate Times]]

Desperation shown…

Internally (42.1-2) = long for; thirst for; when [yearning; desiring]

Externally (42.3-4) = people say, “Where is your God?” [facing challenging ridicule; I walked with many (past opportunity taken by relocation)]

Desperation for…

GOD (42.1-2) = Himself [God…God…God…God; to be in his presence]

God’s Grandeur (42.3-4) = His glory [instead of ridicule; at God’s house with God’s people]

The impact of a change in circumstances [specifically, a change in location — of the psalmist; of us (like during pandemic)] has on us…

…& we can fold [quit altogether], or…

…we can hold on [remembering what we have known; trusting what we still have…and what our Lord still has in store for us…]

Depressed. [Psalm 42.6-11]

[[Disheartening Times]]

Deep Discouragement…

Far from Home (42.6) = remembering Jerusalem from way up north

Feeling Overwhelmed (42.7-8) = deep calls to deep [yet notice…YOUR waterfalls, breakers, & billows; and — THE LORD’s FAITHFUL LOVE!!]

Frustrating Recurrence (42.9-10) = the enemy’s oppression [taunting incessantly; once again saying (as in 42.3), “Where is your God?”]

The droning cacophony of the enemy(s)’ chorus/refrain…

…is crushing, sorrow-inducing discouragement to our souls, but…

…our LORD’s faithful love is a neverending refrain of refreshment!

Delivered. [Psalm 43.1-5]

[[Restored Times]]

God works to…

Rescue his people (43.1) = Vindicate…champion…rescue [from the unfaithful nation (peoples) and the unjust person (man, ‘ish’)]

Refuge his people (43.2) = [shelter; protection]; a direct confession of the psalmist (in context of recurring conflict — Psalm 43.2 = Psalm 42.9…reject=forgotten).

God’s people respond…

Rejoicing Anticipation (43.3-4) = Having light/truth lead them home…to further respond in great joy in the presence of God, PRAISING God…God…God…God!

When out-of-sorts…remembering restores; returning restores!

CONCL—

The Chorus…

“Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God.”

[Talking to himself…(this thing I do).

Remembering restores…Returning restores.]

[[DEJECTED DOESN’T MEAN DONE.]]

[[I hope we are not looking at this series as a way to figure out lament so we never have to do it again. I am convinced the emphasis and repetition of lament—especially in the Psalms—is for a contuing reminder as we face various (manifold) trials throughout our lives and life together as his church.]]

INVITATION:

Salvation

What do you want to do for the glory of God through our church family?

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Psalm 42:11 CSB

Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God.