As we wrote last week the Psalms are divided into five groups. This week, Book 2 which consists of Psalms 42 through 72 and is our next stop. We have chosen to use the first Psalm of each book during our journey through Psalms. Because of their shared vocabulary, themes, and refrain we have decided to do 42 and 43 together as a unit. The focus here speaks in general terms of danger, threats, anxiety, trust and hope. These two Psalms adapt to a variety of situations and underscore the fundamental biblical fact that our lives depend heavily on our relationship with God. I do not want our time here in the Pew to be one of overwhelming detail. So…keeping it simple let’s start with 42: 1-5. 

Here we see the psalmist’s need for God using the image of thirst. He thirsts for God…We know that as humans we too thirst for water…without it we cannot survive. For the person here as for you and I God is a necessity of life. Communion with God is necessary, we need to see his face, feel his presence, for he is our bread of life. In His house I find hope, here I can pour out my soul and be protected my the Mighty One. There is reference in these first five verses that in my mind refers to not being in the house of God often enough…there are tears because of this absence and there are only memories, all one can do is to remember the joy of past visits. Moving on to verses 6-11 there is the echoes that continue to emphasize the writers despair. While water has been used to convey an image in verses 1-2 we read of to much water in verse 7, which is working against and threatens to overwhelm the writer. Verse 8 seems to remember a happier time. Some wonderful thoughts lie among the words of this Psalm in these last verses. God’s steadfast love is reaffirmed. The palm has hinted at hope and help and now moves toward an expression of assurance. There is for practical thinkers the fact that despair and hope can exist simultaneously. No need to dwell here long the simple fact is we need the “bread of life” which comes only through a relationship with our God.

In Psalm 43, which is only 5 verses long we read the Psalmist moving from complaint to vindication. He seeks to find justice for himself against his enemies who are deceitful and unjust. There is again a despair there but also hope. The writer seeks the light and truth of God to led him to the temple where he will worship God with great Joy. One of the themes that comes together here in these two Psalms is that usually the light is associated with God’s face. There is a Joy and I might add unspeakable, of coming to the Temple…and the words “I shall again Praise.”

Come to the Temple! Praise God…Amen

Life is Good

jk