What do you need today?
I feel discouraged
Read this first
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What this passage says
The psalm speaks in the first person to his own soul, asking why it is cast down and disquieted. It records thirst for God, tears, memories of going to the house of God, and the twice-repeated instruction to hope in God, with a stated reason: I shall still praise him.
What describes your situation best?
Only if it helps. Nothing you choose is saved or sent anywhere.
What would help you most right now?
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The same thing taught elsewhere
Loading Galatians 6:7-10…
Paul addresses weariness in doing good and speaks of a harvest in due season.
Old and New Testament together
Loading 1 Kings 19:1-18…
A prophet at the end of himself is met with rest, food and a word, not a rebuke.
How it is lived
Loading 2 Corinthians 4:7-18…
Paul describes being pressed but not crushed, and why he does not lose heart.
What this means for you
Psalm 42 speaks to itself rather than about itself. The command to hope is given by the discouraged man to his own soul, with a reason attached.
One thing to do
Do what the psalm does: name the discouragement out loud, then say the hope sentence of verses 5 and 11 to yourself.
Pray this passage
God, this psalm asks why my soul is cast down, and I am asking the same. I thirst for you and I do not feel you near. The psalm does not end in silence; it tells my soul to hope in you. So I will. Hold me until I praise you again.
Or pray in your own words
- Tell God exactly what has worn you down.
- Speak verses 5 and 11 to your own soul.
- Ask him for strength to keep doing one right thing.
A 7 day Scripture path
Seven passages, one a day, read in your own translation. Kept in this browser only.
Where to go from here
- Read the whole chapter around Psalm 42
- Put one of these verses to memory
- Save a verse or write a note in your library
- Choose another subject
Audela offers Scripture, not counselling or medical care, and never claims a personal message from God for anyone. All subjects