Book 2: Psalm 42-72 God’s presence going before us
Title: To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.
I. The anguish of a thirsty soul (1-2)
A. Consider the intensity of the analogy.
B. Consider the object of the analogy. II. The anguish of a broken soul (3-4)
A. Consider the intensity of their present emotion.
B. Consider the contrast of their past experience.IIL. The anguish of a weary soul (5-7)
A. Consider the tension of their soul.
B. Consider the reality of their overwhelm.IV. The anguish of an honest soul (8-10)
A. Consider the faithfulness of their God.
B. Consider the reality of their relationship with God.V. The confidence of a hopeful soul (11)
A. Consider the hope of a troubled soul.
B. Consider the hope of a trusting soul.Psalm 42 is one of the clearest examples of a psalm of lament. This psalm begins with the picture of a deer longing for a drink of water. In the way the psalmist’s desire to know God and abide in His presence is an insatiable thirst. His anguish is expressed throughout the psalm, but is most clearly seen in a set of heartfelt questions asked of himself. Why am I so depressed and why is my soul in such distress? I know that I need to hope in God, yet still my soul is cast down. The resolution of this anguished heart is a final declaration that God is their hope because His is their God.