Psalm 42 is a poetic, heartfelt cry to God during times of trouble. When it was written, God’s people were exiled from Jerusalem (their home) and their enemies taunted them as they put their faith in the coming of their prophesied Messiah.
Deep is translated from abyssos (Greek) and tᵊhôm (Hebrew) which both mean the deepest depths of the sea, the grave or pit, the unbounded or bottomless. This verse illustrates being plunged into the bottomless ocean of despair repeatedly through waves of trouble. Deep also refers to a need for something to fill the bottomless, to satisfy its depths and demands. A deep need requires a deep remedy.
The author knows that the Triune God is that deep remedy that can fill the bottomless pit: “my soul pants for you” (v.1), “my soul thirsts for God” (v.2), and “my tears have been my food” (v.3). The abyss consumes not just the body but the mind as well which the author illustrates through back and forth illustrations of God’s abandonment: “why have you forgotten me?” (v.9), “why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” (v.9), “my bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me” (v.10), “why, my soul, are you downcast?…disturbed within me?” (v.11). These cries from the deep are coupled with the mention of the revered hope of God’s prophesied glory and the author’s promised salvation: “when can I go and meet with God?” (v.2), “under the protection of the Mighty One…with shouts of joy and praise” (v. 4), “I say to God my Rock” (v.9), “put your hope in God…my Savior” (v.11).
So you who are weary, tired, and beaten down in the midst of the unbounded sea—take comfort in knowing that there is something that can take your place in the overwhelming pit. The deep trials and testing of your faith are temporary but the Triune God sends the Son to fill the vast expanse in your place, to bear your pain (John 3:16). Deep calls to deep is the realization that our human frailty is great, but God is much greater. Our thoughts are shallow as well as our ability to withstand attacks. But God’s thoughts are deep and unsearchable (Romans 11:33-34, Psalm 92:5). God is immeasurable compared to your depths. Like the author of this psalm, take heart in God’s righteousness, justice, and goodness because He is a God who fulfills His promises. In times of trouble our goal should be to remember this so that we can confidently proclaim verse 5 and 11 with resolve, hope, and praise: “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
Deep is translated from abyssos (Greek) and tᵊhôm (Hebrew) which both mean the deepest depths of the sea, the grave or pit, the unbounded or bottomless. This verse illustrates being plunged into the bottomless ocean of despair repeatedly through waves of trouble. Deep also refers to a need for something to fill the bottomless, to satisfy its depths and demands—a deep need requires a deep remedy.
The author knows that the Triune God is that deep remedy that can fill the bottomless pit: “my soul pants for you” (v.1), “my soul thirsts for God” (v.2), and “my tears have been my food” (v.3). The abyss consumes not just the body but the mind as well which the author illustrates through back and forth illustrations of God’s abandonment: “why have you forgotten me?” (v.9), “why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” (v.9), “my bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me” (v.10), “why, my soul, are you downcast?…disturbed within me?” (v.11). These cries from the deep are coupled with the mention of the revered hope of God’s prophesied glory and the author’s promised salvation: “when can I go and meet with God?” (v.2), “under the protection of the Mighty One…with shouts of joy and praise” (v.4), “I say to God my Rock” (v.9), “put your hope in God…my Savior” (v.11).
So you who are weary, tired, and beaten down in the midst of the unbounded sea—take comfort in knowing that there is something that can take your place in the overwhelming pit. The deep trials and testing of your faith are temporary but the Triune God sends the Son to fill the vast expanse in your place, to bear your pain (John 3:16). Deep calls to deep is the realization that our human frailty is great, but God is much greater. God is immeasurable compared to your depths. Take heart in God’s righteousness, justice, and goodness because He is a God who fulfills His promises. In times of trouble our goal should be to remember this so that we can confidently proclaim verse 5 and 11 with resolve, hope, and praise.
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