My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God? (Psalm 42:2)
Notice, the Psalmist does not say, “My soul hungers for God”, he says, “My soul thirsts for God”. Thirst is greater than hunger
One can go without food for many days, but a person can go without water only for 2 or 3 days maximum. After that, death many follow. This indicates a deep longing for the LORD.
Someone has said that many men seek the hand of God but very few seek His face. He longed only for the person and presence of God. Our longings reveal much about our priorities. They reveal the place God truly holds in our hearts and minds.
My tears have been my food day and night,
While they continually say to me,
“Where is your God?” (Psalm 42:3)
It could be well be that the Psalmist was fasting and praying for days as indicated by the words, “My tears have been my food day and night”
While they continually say to me, “Where is your God?”
Even when the people of the world are questioning the existence of God or questioning His power to move in our present situation we must seek the LORD with fasting and prayer.
Where is your God now?
Most of God’s people have at one point in their life (or probably more) have heard this taunt from the people of the world. Don’t let this discourage you.
When I remember these things,
I pour out my soul within me.
For I used to go with the multitude;
I went with them to the house of God,
With the voice of joy and praise,
With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast. (Psalm 42:4)
When I remember these things
Memories whether painful or happy must not take us away from the presence of God but like the Psalmist must make us draw more close to Him. I pour out my soul within me
The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,
And in the night His song shall be with me—
A prayer to the God of my life. (Psalm 42:8)
Songs in the night, however, are a powerful testimony to the grace and sustaining power of God. See also
25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. (Acts 16:25-26)
Prayers based on Psalm 42
My soul thirsts for You, O God.. [v. 2]
My hope is in You, Lord. [v. 5]
Help me to remember all that You have done for me. [v. 6]
Father, may Your song be with me in my troubled nights. [v. 8]
Songs based on Psalm 42
As the Deer Panteth for the waters
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6
- Chapter 7
- Chapter 8
- Chapter 9
- Chapter 10
- Chapter 11
- Chapter 12
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 14
- Chapter 15
- Chapter 16
- Chapter 17
- Chapter 18
- Chapter 19
- Chapter 20
- Chapter 21
- Chapter 22
- Chapter 23
- Chapter 24
- Chapter 25
- Chapter 26
- Chapter 27
- Chapter 28
- Chapter 29
- Chapter 30
- Chapter 31
- Chapter 32
- Chapter 33
- Chapter 34
- Chapter 35
- Chapter 36
- Chapter 37
- Chapter 38
- Chapter 39
- Chapter 40
- Chapter 41
- Chapter 42
- Chapter 43
- Chapter 44
- Chapter 45
- Chapter 46
- Chapter 47
- Chapter 48
- Chapter 49
- Chapter 50
- Chapter 51
- Chapter 53
- Chapter 54
- Chapter 55
- Chapter 56
- Chapter 57
- Chapter 58
- Chapter 59
- Chapter 60
- Chapter 61
- Chapter 69
- Chapter 70
- Chapter 71
- Chapter 72
- Chapter 76
- Chapter 77
- Chapter 79
- Chapter 80
- Chapter 81
- Chapter 82
- Chapter 83
- Chapter 85
- Chapter 86
- Chapter 87
- Chapter 88
- Chapter 89
- Chapter 90
- Chapter 105
- Chapter 127
- Chapter 128
- Chapter 130
- Chapter 131
- Chapter 132
- Chapter 133
- Chapter 138
- Chapter 139
- Chapter 140
- Chapter 142
- Chapter 144
- Chapter 145
- Chapter 148
- Chapter 149
- Chapter 150