There will be times in our lives when our soul will be downcast or depressed. That is a natural response to overwhelming circumstances. By “natural” response I mean it is a response of the old nature to become depressed.
David was a man after God’s own heart and even he became downcast at times. I am of the persuasion the times he suffered depression were the times he was focused on his circumstances rather than being focused on the LORD.
Psalm 42 and Psalm 43 were written during such times. One thing I greatly appreciate about David was even though he was a man of like passions as we are, and even though he was overwhelmed at times and was depressed, he always turned to the LORD. At some point in the midst of his circumstances his new nature took over and he encouraged himself in the LORD.
Psalm 42:6 clearly shows that David was depressed, yet immediately he remembered different occasions when the LORD showed Himself strong on David’s behalf.
John Gill, a beloved Baptist forefather, had this to say concerning Psalm 42:6…
O my God, my soul is cast down within me
Which the psalmist repeats, partly to show the greatness of his dejection, though he had not lost his view of interest in God as his covenant God; and partly to observe another method he made use of to remove his dejection and refresh his spirits; and that was by calling to mind past experiences of divine goodness;
Which the psalmist repeats, partly to show the greatness of his dejection, though he had not lost his view of interest in God as his covenant God; and partly to observe another method he made use of to remove his dejection and refresh his spirits; and that was by calling to mind past experiences of divine goodness;
therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan;
the country round about it, or rather beyond it; which was at the farthest parts of the land of Canaan, where David was obliged to flee, and where he had often met with God;
the country round about it, or rather beyond it; which was at the farthest parts of the land of Canaan, where David was obliged to flee, and where he had often met with God;
and of the Hermonites;
who inhabited the mountain of Hermon; or the Hermonian mountains, as the Targum; see ( Psalms 133:3 ) ; a mountain upon the border of the land of Israel eastward, and which was very high; Cocceius thinks the Geshurites are meant; see ( 1 Samuel 27:8 ) ; here also the Lord had appeared to him, and for him; and
who inhabited the mountain of Hermon; or the Hermonian mountains, as the Targum; see ( Psalms 133:3 ) ; a mountain upon the border of the land of Israel eastward, and which was very high; Cocceius thinks the Geshurites are meant; see ( 1 Samuel 27:8 ) ; here also the Lord had appeared to him, and for him; and
from the hill Mizar;
or "the little hill" F11; which might be so in comparison of Hermon. The above interpreter thinks Zoar is meant, which Lot so called, ( Genesis 19:20 Genesis 19:22 ) ; which was near Sodom and Gomorrah: Kimchi thinks it might be Zior, mentioned in ( Joshua 15:54 ) ; but, be it what or where it will, in this little hill David enjoyed the divine Presence; or was indulged with some remarkable favour; from all which he concludes he had no just reason to be dejected and disquieted in his mind: and right it is for the people of God to call to mind past experiences, and make mention of them; partly for the glory of divine grace, and to express their gratitude to God, and their sense of his goodness; and partly to cheer and refresh their own spirits, and prevent dejection and despondency: and delightful it is to call to mind, how, at such a time, and in such a place, the Lord was pleased to manifest his love, apply some gracious promise, or deliver from some sore temptation or distress: all which must tend to encourage faith and hope. The Jewish writers differently interpret these words; Jarchi, of David's remembrance of the wonderful works God did for the people of Israel of old, in drying up the river Jordan, and giving them the law on Mount Sinai, a little hill, in comparison of some others: Aben Ezra, Kimchi, and Ben Melech, understand them as a reason of his dejection, when he remembered how the Israelites came from those several parts to the solemn feasts at Jerusalem, which he was now deprived of; and the Targum paraphrases them of the inhabitants of those places, and of the people that received the law on Mount Sinai, remembering God; and so Arama thinks "beyond Jordan" is mentioned because the law was given there; and by the hill Mizar he understands Sinai: and some Christian interpreters consider them as a reason why David's soul was cast down in him, he being in such places as here mentioned, at a distance from his own house, from Jerusalem, and the place of divine worship, and so render the words, "because that I remember thee" F12.
or "the little hill" F11; which might be so in comparison of Hermon. The above interpreter thinks Zoar is meant, which Lot so called, ( Genesis 19:20 Genesis 19:22 ) ; which was near Sodom and Gomorrah: Kimchi thinks it might be Zior, mentioned in ( Joshua 15:54 ) ; but, be it what or where it will, in this little hill David enjoyed the divine Presence; or was indulged with some remarkable favour; from all which he concludes he had no just reason to be dejected and disquieted in his mind: and right it is for the people of God to call to mind past experiences, and make mention of them; partly for the glory of divine grace, and to express their gratitude to God, and their sense of his goodness; and partly to cheer and refresh their own spirits, and prevent dejection and despondency: and delightful it is to call to mind, how, at such a time, and in such a place, the Lord was pleased to manifest his love, apply some gracious promise, or deliver from some sore temptation or distress: all which must tend to encourage faith and hope. The Jewish writers differently interpret these words; Jarchi, of David's remembrance of the wonderful works God did for the people of Israel of old, in drying up the river Jordan, and giving them the law on Mount Sinai, a little hill, in comparison of some others: Aben Ezra, Kimchi, and Ben Melech, understand them as a reason of his dejection, when he remembered how the Israelites came from those several parts to the solemn feasts at Jerusalem, which he was now deprived of; and the Targum paraphrases them of the inhabitants of those places, and of the people that received the law on Mount Sinai, remembering God; and so Arama thinks "beyond Jordan" is mentioned because the law was given there; and by the hill Mizar he understands Sinai: and some Christian interpreters consider them as a reason why David's soul was cast down in him, he being in such places as here mentioned, at a distance from his own house, from Jerusalem, and the place of divine worship, and so render the words, "because that I remember thee" F12.
David ends this Psalm by encouraging himself to put his hope in LORD. He knew that the LORD was the health of his countenance, his help, his strong tower, his refuge, a very present help in trouble and because of that he was able to say, “I shall yet praise him.”
In this life circumstances will happen that will overwhelm us and when we focus our attention on them we will get depressed too. When that happens we should remind ourselves of instances when GOD has shown Himself strong on our behalf. Keep your focus on Him…
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”
“Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:1-2
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