PSALM FORTY TWO

WHERE IS THY GOD?

   To pious Jews, the liveliest representation of spiritual things was the 
worship of God in His Temple. Even when in distant lands, they prayed towards 
the Temple. There are good things in the House of God. David probably wrote 
this psalm when he was in exile, and in it he bares the need of his soul.
   He expresses the longing of his soul in this way, "When shall I come and 
appear before God?" It was true that the God of Jacob could make a Bethel in 
the desert, but he still had a longing for the House of God. David had seen 
enough of idols to last him a lifetime. He longed for the LIVING GOD. The 
heathen inquired, "Whom do you worship? Has He deserted you? Can you see Him? 
Where is your God?"
   In all this David exercises his soul. "I pour out my soul in me." 
Remembering the blessings of other days, he reminded himself of the evidences 
of God. This led him to speak to his soul, to reassure himself. His condition 
was lorn and sad, his enemies were rampant, so he tells his soul, "Hope thou 
in God!"
   David then experienced something common to all men, his soul contracted 
within itself. "It cast itself down within me." How small we can become when 
under pressure. "Therefore will I remember Thee!" Only when he remembered God 
could he get a proper prospective in his life.
   He describes how he was in a sea of troubles, where deep called to deep. 
He describes the circular motion of a water-spout, throwing up vast 
quantities of water and pouring it down in torrents. How typical of a mind in 
trouble. When trouble rages in this manner, take stock of your standing in 
God, and thank Him that you are still afloat.
   Even in his greatest trials he had comfort for his soul. In the Day - God 
commanded His lovingkindness; in the night - His song shall be with me. In 
all circumstances, God is not a disappointment. The Psalmist utters the cry 
of his soul, "I will say unto EL, my Rock, 'Why hast Thou forgotten me?" Here 
is a great paradox; we remember God all the more when we think He has 
forgotten us. God never forgets. He is always there.
   At the end of this psalm the singer takes his soul in hand saying, "Why 
art thou cast down O my soul, why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in 
God! He is the health of thy countenance." Health, as it is used here, means 
salvation. Salvation literally means being restored to full health in every 
part of our being. This is the answer to the question, 'Where is Thy God?' - 
He is right here, in me, working out my salvation.



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file: /pub/resources/text/hpalmer/psalms: ps-042.txt
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