PSALMS FOR SEARCHING SOULS- PART 3

                      AUGUST 5, 2007

Intro: Psalms 42-43- perhaps a psalm of exile (David

    or the nation)—describes struggle with doubt

I. Plea and a Prayer-42:1-4

1) “pant… thirst for God”- cognizant of a real need

2) “remember these things”-vs.4 =value of memory of

previous blessings to sustain us during spiritual drought

  First soliloquy—42:5-  use of Heb. parallelism

Introspective: observation & analysis of oneself-

II. Confession and Comfort- 42:6-10- acknowledges

condition before God

1) “my soul is cast down”- -- see I Peter 5:5-7

2) “I will remember you..”- not simply recall

 Geographical relocation during exile- “Jordan…Hermon”

“deep calls to deep..waves & billows” = noise of roaring

waters picture inner noise of fear & anxiety

3) Comforted & stabilized by theology- “Lord will command”

see Rom.8:35-38

  Yet, pressure remains- vs.9-10 “why?”

  Second soliloquy- 42:11

III. Entreaty and Invocation- 43:1-4
1) Asks for relief from external pressure- “vindicate me…”

2) Seeks “light” and “truth”- relief is long for, but more

important is guidance and clarity-

  Third soliloquy- here, introspection has two elements:

a) self-rebuke-capacity to directive corrective measures

  toward oneself

b) self-soothing- capacity to calm a troubled heart in

  oneself & direct positive energies so panic is avoided