Discouragement and sorrow are very real and unavoidable feelings. The writer of Psalm 42-43 asks a very blatant and honest question of himself: “why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me?”
It would seem that the psalmist knows why he is discouraged. He mourns due to oppression (42:10) that feels like a sword in his bones (42:11). Desiring fellowship with God, he feels spiritual distance. He even asks God “why hast thou forgotten me?” (42:9) and “why dost thou cast me off?” (43:2). He poetically feeds himself with tears (42:3).
The psalmist truly does have reason to sorrow!
He objectively looks at himself and observes that he is discouraged. Then, he prescribes an incredible remedy for his own discouragement. Rather than organize a pity party, he objectively chooses to praise God!
Furthermore, the psalmist directly ties praising God with the emotion of joy (43:4)! He converts his discouragement into joy through the act of praise.
Are you discouraged today? Praise is not a feeling but rather it is a choice. You must choose to praise God despite your feelings. Only then will you begin to experience joy.
Personally, I have a playlist that I listen to when discouraged. Eileen Berry and Molly IJames well express the distress of Psalm 42-43 before turning to God in praise. Their song, “In Your Silence,” has been at the start of my playlist since I first heard it. May it be a blessing to you as it has been to me!
In Your word I find the echoes of the questions in my mind;
Have I fallen from Your favor, is Your ear to me inclined?
When Your silence is unbroken, though my prayer ascends each day,
Father, keep my faith from failing in the face of long delay.While You wait in gracious wisdom and my doubts begin to rise,
I recall Your loving kindness, and lift my hopeful eyes.
While Your hand withholds the answer, I will not withhold my heart.
I will love you in Your silence, I will trust You in the dark.When the troubled thoughts within me hold me wakeful in the night,
And the shadows that surround me seem to hide me from Your sight.
Father, bring to my remembrance mercies shown in days gone by.
Help me rest upon Your promise: You will not neglect my cry!While You wait in gracious wisdom and my doubts begin to rise,
I recall Your loving kindness, and lift my hopeful eyes.
While Your hand withholds the answer, I will not withhold my heart.
I will love you in Your silence, I will trust You in the dark.
