1 As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, my God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
3 My tears have been my food
day and night,
while people say to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”
4 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[d]
with shouts of joy and praise
among the festive throng.
5 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.
6 My soul is downcast within me;
therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.
8 By day the Lord directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.
9 I say to God my Rock,
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?”
10 My bones suffer mortal agony
as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”
11 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.
In Psalm 42, the composer turns from the typical addressing God to speaking directly to his own soul. It’s a powerful moment to observe. The Psalmist gives us an intimate view into his own internal conversations and conflict as he confronts soul.
Instead of singing to or about God, he intentionally directs his words inward. This isn’t a passive exercise; it’s an active engagement where his words become like a precise instrument, addressing the heart of his being.
We often think of our conversations with ourselves as being more about listening to what our soul is saying. However, there are times when our soul truly needs us to be the active voice, to speak directly to it with purpose.
It makes you wonder, how often do we actively “preach” or “sing” truth to our own souls?
Life’s challenges, past mistakes, and difficult experiences can burden our souls, leading to weariness, self-condemnation, or even a susceptibility to misleading beliefs- a false gospel of sorts.
The practice of speaking directly to our souls can be incredibly beneficial. Our hearts need the constant reassurance of the Gospel – through scripture, community, the Holy Spirit, and yes, even from our own voices. As the saying goes, we should preach the Gospel to ourselves and others always. God’s ultimate sacrifice in Jesus demonstrates His deep love and ongoing pursuit of us.
Can we hear Him calling?
Think of His words: “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Or the unwavering declaration: “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Consider the truth that “…you are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…” and that “…you are fearfully and wonderfully made…” And the deeply personal message we may begin to breeze by: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” – a love so vast, it encompasses each of us individually.
When was the last time you intentionally spoke life and truth to your soul?
What melody currently resides within you – is it one of life-giving gospel truth, or something that brings condemnation or deception?
Maybe it’s time to confront your soul with more of God’s truth.
