Psalm 43: Hope for the Downcast

One thing that you notice when you preach through the whole Bible is that the Bible is not especially a “happy” book. Danger, difficulty or despair can be found on almost every page!

But the Bible is most profoundly a hopeful book. Psalms 42-43 exemplify this rather clearly. The Psalmist is not presently happy, but he is hopeful. The present is not especially cheerful. But my future is in the hands of the living God – and therefore I have hope.

The refrain of Psalms 42-43 is echoed by our Lord: “Now is my soul troubled.” (John 12:27) “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death.” (Matthew 26:38)

In both cases, this is the same word translated “cast down” in Psalm 42-43.

The echo of Psalm 42 is intentional – especially when you connect it with the theme of Psalm 43 – “Why have you, O God, rejected me?” Jesus was downcast, not just because of the oppression of his enemies, but because the Father himself turned his back on his only Son.

In Psalm 42, verses 3 and 10, we hear the mockery of the scoffers: while they say to me continually, “Where is your God?” This question haunts the Psalmist’s footsteps: Where is your God?

In the midst of trial and suffering, where is your God?

No doubt you have wondered that at times. Where is God when I am suffering? Where is God when I am depressed? –when my soul is cast down and in turmoil within me?