“These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng. 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. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.”
- Psalm 42:4-6 -

Psalms 42-43 give us three stanzas in which the singer, deep in depression, laments his separation from God with vivid imagery of drought (42:1), an overwhelming flood (42:7) and public humiliation (42:3,10; 43:1). Yet each time there’s the refrain ‘Put your hope in God’ (42:5,11; 43:5).

These psalms give a tidy response. First, self-pity is rebuked. Why do you let yourself feel this way (42:5,11; 43:5)? Second, there is the recollection of better times, processing to the temple and the experience of God’s love, or an acknowledgement of God’s nature as a stronghold, the source of light and truth. Finally, there is a clear statement of intent: ‘I will praise’, ‘I will remember’, ‘I will go to the altar’, ‘I will sing and play praise to God’.

Spiritual depression is not uncommon. Most, if not all, of us will have experienced times when we’ve felt distanced from God. Prayer seemed unanswered, praise merely words, our faith was running on empty. Here we have a structure for responding to such times. First, we recognize and reject a focus totally on ourselves. Second, we remind ourselves of who God is and what he’s done. Third, we recommit ourselves to a course of action, moving toward him. Then, let the living water flow.

Apply: Make a clear note of the three stages of recognizing, reminding, and recommitting. Place the note where you will see it every day.

Prayer: Lord God, my refuge, my fortress, my rock. I rest in you, my hope and deliverer.

(A Summary from Encounter with God)