Hope for a Discouraged Soul

Korah - joined with other men to speak rebel against Moses and Aaron, their fathers were swallowed up in the earth and devoured by fire

The children were spared by God’s grace.

Many believe that they were so grateful for God’s mercy that they gave themselves completely to singing the praises of God.

This Psalm seems to have been authored by David as he fled from Absalom.

Hope= waiting on God, waiting patiently, sometimes silently

David, CHS - discouraged, depressed

When the memories of past joys seem distant. - v. 1-5

v. 4 In his time of deep need and despair, he remembers the high times of praise and celebration in which they worshipped God.

v. 1 David’s heart longs to enjoy the same worship of God.

But now he is isolated, panting after worship like a running deer pants for water.

v. 2 His soul thirst, not hungers for God, as hunger can be handled.

There is desperation, misery in thirst.

The thirst is for the living God, not as his enemies which long after and fear dead gods. Panting is vain if for a dead God.

When shall I appear before God? He desired close communion and fellowship with God, not being content with private worship, he desired corporate worship.

Application: Through Jesus, we now enter the Holy of Holies with God.

v. 3 David feels like he lacks spiritual nourishment and that he is fed by his suffering.

His suffering/enemy prompts him to ask where God was.

v. 4 When he thought of these things, he poured his heart upon his heart. How much better to pour out your heart to God?

He remembered the times of corporate worship and longed for them.

v. 5 David asks himself, why am I cast down and why can I not quiet my soul?

Application: How can I hope in God when joyful times seem to be so distant?

God is unchangeable, and it is His unchangeable grace that the believer hopes in.

Salvation comes from God’s countenance. -

King James Version Psalm 3

But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me;

My glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

When everything seems to be against me. - v. 6-11

v. 6 Therefore will I remember thee. It is well to fly to our God. Here is terra firma. Blessed down casting which drives us to so sure a rock of refuge as thee, O Lord! - CHS

David remembers and thinks about the places which the Lord seemed nearest to him, reminding us to mark those times in our own lives.

We should understand that God is just as near in the mountains as He is in the valleys. God’s presence is not dependent on geographical location.

We

v. 7 All thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. David thought that every trouble in the world had met in him, but he exaggerated, for all the breaking waves of Jehovah have passed over none but the Lord Jesus; - CHS

The billows of God’s wrath were completely passed on Jesus Christ. He has born all of our grief and carried our sorrow.

Remember, the waves and billows are HIS waves and billows.

v. 8 God’s lovingkindness to us is the floating device in troubled waters.

King James Version Psalm 63

Because thy lovingkindness is better than life,

My lips shall praise thee.

command= send, give

He will give us a song in the night. He is with us in the night as in the day.

Prayer and praise bring hope in the most terrible of conditions.

v. 9 It is a pitiable thing for any man to have a limb amputated, but when we know that the operation was needful to save life, we are glad to hear that it has been successfully performed; even thus as trial unfolds, the design of the Lord sending it becomes far more easy to bear. - CHS

v. 10 God must be our confidence alone, even when we feel as if we find no refuge.

The enemies slander was cutting David deeply, to the bone.

When the enemy questions “where is thy God?” may we point them to the hope we have in God.

v. 11 David returns to the hope he has in a faithful God, who was worthy to be praised and the source of salvation.

Application: Hope thou in God. Let the anchor still keep its hold. God is faithful, God is love, therefore there is room and reason for hope.

Though the billows round you roll, know that they are His billows.