09/08/19 PANTING FOR GOD AND HIS DELIVERANCE

09/08/19 PANTING FOR GOD AND HIS DELIVERANCE
 
Psalm 42 addresses the problem of a person earnestly seeking God. (esp. *vss. 7-8).

PASSAGE AND NOTES...
Psalms 42:1-11
1 To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
8 Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

NOTES...
Vss. 1-2 Notice the imagery of a deer in desperate flight from a pursuer, panting as it seeks safety and the restorative power of water. All humans are in this situation from time to time, but only those who realize their desperation and recognize that their deliverance come from Christ will find rest, refreshment and reviving in Christ.

Vss. 3-5 The Psalmist reveals the heaviness of his heart by saying that his tears, his hurt, his need has been constant and continuous all through the day. He has sought God, but has not yet encountered God's deliverance and restoration.

The seeker remembers that he must honestly pour out his inner desires and trust God for the answer. It is not enough to realize the problem or even recognize the answer is in God, the plaintiff must remember and rely on God to hear his voice of faith, joy, praise.

The supplicant reminds himself (as an act of faith) that God is his Help.

*Vss. 7-8 The Psalmist says, "deep calls unto Deep. The depths of his own soul, sorrow, searching called out to God and the depths of God's love, wisdom, power answered the prayers of the Psalmist.

As the sound of running water in a brook welcomes the thirsting and desperate deer, the voice of God rises up as a roaring waterspout, a resounding waterfall. The depth of faith will find the depth of the God's deliverance and the power, joy and peace of God will cover the seeker, as mighty waters that refreshes the deer.

Tears of fear and hopelessness will no longer burden the seeker, but rather God's loving kindness in the daytime and His song at night, as long as his prayer of faith is anchored in God, Who is his life.

Vss, 9-11 The psalmist reiterates his need, his hope, his deliverance. No matter the attacks he may suffer, he knows he will yet praise God, his Deliverer.