Longing for Mental Health
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Greg Waybright
- Psalm 42 & Psalm 43
- Modern Longings – Ancient Words: The Psalms and Our Deepest Desires
- 40 mins 59 secs
- Views: 872
Questions for Reflection
Psalm 42 & 43
- What is the psalmist longing for and remembering from the past (see 42:1-2, 4)? What is the current situation of psalmist (see 42:3, 10)?
- How does the Psalmist respond to this distressing situation (see 42:6)? What do you need to remember about your past with God that will give you hope for the future?
- What questions does the psalmist ask God (see 42:9, 43:2)? Have you been in a situation asking similar questions of God? Even still, what does the psalmist claim about their relationship to God (see 42:9, 43:2)?
- What does the psalmist ask of God (see 43:1, 3)? How will this fulfill the psalmist longing (see 43:3, 4)?
- Do you think people in our church ever feel the way the psalmist did in 42:3-5a? Do you? Three times the psalmist encourages the proper response to a downcast soul (see 42:5, 11 and 43:5). In troubling times, where else are tempted to put your hope for a future? What does it mean to you to put your hope in God?
Study Notes
Modern Longings; Ancient Words -- Mental Health
Psalms 42-43
I’ll start by singing part of a blues song called “Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone.” Then…
I wanted to begin by singing part of one of my favorite blues songs – because we come today to two blues Psalms, i.e., Psalms 42-43. In fact, wherever we experience the music, poetry, literature and visual art of any culture at any time, we discover that people have always used the arts to express the struggles they are having with life. What we call “singing the blues” is cross-cultural.
In our day, many of the “blues” we feel fall under the category we call “mental health”; including things like anxiety and panic attacks, depression, bipolar issues, paranoia and schizophrenia, PTSD, dementia, obsessive compulsive disorders as well as many of the addictive disorders that are so prevalent in our world.
Many kinds of things lead to mental health struggles:
- Things done to us – Physical, verbal and sexual abuse can provoke all sorts of mental health issues, often affecting the abused persons in ways that they might not even be conscious of.
- Stress-filled settings we are in – Overcrowded conditions, situations of extreme poverty, dysfunctional family relationships, etc. often have a powerful impact on those in those settings.
A number of years ago, a seminal study was done by the US Center for Disease Control and Kaiser-Permanente called the “Adverse Childhood Experience Study” (ACEs) that demonstrated the effect abuse, neglect and stress-filled experiences have upon a person’s later-life mental and physical health. Here is a chart showing how enormous it is.
The chart shows how trauma-inducing social factors in childhood (see bottom of chart) lead to disease, disability and even early death in later life (top of chart). This has made me wonder how the conditions being reported about the migrant children being held currently in detention centers at our borders will impact the lives mentally and physically of those children being held.
- Biological factors – Some people have chemical imbalances that need to be addressed; others simply seem to possess predispositions toward depression, anxiety, etc.
All to say, in my experience, I’ve come to recognize that there are factors both external and internal that affect our mental health. I believe you will see them expressed in Psalm 42-43. For example, the Psalmist certainly felt like he was surrounded by hostile opponents in 42:10 & 43:1-2. At the same time, the Psalm is permeated by evidences of him being prone by nature to being downcast and fear-filled.
Ancient Words for a Modern Longing – Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why are you so disturbed?
Mental health is such an important issue for our time. When I chose the series title, Modern Longings; Ancient Words, I knew I had to at least introduce the topic as well as to ask how the ancient words of the Bible speak to it. I became aware of how significant this matter of mental health currently is as I was speaking this past March with some student development professionals in Christian universities. They told me that there are four main issues that students say they hope their schools and churches will acknowledge and help them address: Race, sexual identity, and gender (i.e., #metoo) were three they mentioned. Kara Powell in our church, who engages in significant research among students, confirmed that she is hearing the same.
But, more pressing than all those was this matter of mental health. A 2019 study by the Pew Research Center 
pointed out that the issues of depression and anxiety top the list of concerns college students see among their college-age peers. And these mental health concerns cross ethnic and socio-economic lines. Those from every ethnicity and economic level spoke of it.
That’s the modern longing, i.e., one for mental and emotional wholeness. When we turn to the ancient words in our Scripture text, we discover that, although the Psalmist wrote as much as 3,000 years ago, he confessed to the same kinds of struggles that fill our society today. He used two significant words in each of the Psalms’ three stanzas: “downcast” and “disturbed” (42:5,11; 43:5). Those ancient words describe what we feel when we speak of mental health.
- “Downcast” – A word for melting away; cast down into darkness. It’s a word that expresses what everyone who has opened up to me about depression says it feels like, i.e., a dark blanket being pulled up over their heads. It’s a feeling that all inner strength has melted away leaving you in utter darkness.
- Disturbed – This is a word meaning to feel disoriented, agitated and restless.
Put together, those two words express a rather comprehensive description of the feelings people express when they are going through times of emotional and mental distress. We have newer names for mental health issues – but they clearly are a part of ongoing human experience in this imperfect and fallen world regardless of when a person lived or where a person lives. To me, it is clear that God inspired these psalms to be placed in Scripture to speak into these common experiences of human beings struggling with mental health in this world. They are ancient words – addressing modern longings.
#Ustoo -- My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you, O God (42:6).
There are many things I could speak about from these Psalms, but one of the most important is that you should not be surprised when you or others in our church family wrestle with the same kinds of mental and emotional health issues that we find in our world. Christians and non-Christians alike experience physical illness – so you should not be surprised that the same is true of emotional and mental well-being.
The very existence of these two psalms – and others like them – point to the fact that God knows that his people will sometimes feel “downcast” and “disturbed”. Note that this Psalm/song was written for corporate worship. It was a “maskil”, i.e., a worship song, of the “sons of Korah.” These sons of Korah were those who were charged with the ministry of singing for the gathered worship of God’s people. In other words, it was written for believers. It is a song that is included in Scripture to connect with people like us, who believe in God and love God but are going through dark times.
This side of heaven, both Christian and non-Christian will deal with all sorts of issues related to mental health. In our LAC Guiding Statement, we declare that our vision is for each one who becomes a part of this church family to become complete in Christ. That means that we know that all of us have a lot of healing and growing to do to become complete. God plants churches like ours in this world both to give witness to him as well as to grow and find healing together. Psalm 42-43 is in the Bible because the way the psalmist felt is a normal part of a life in this world. The mental issues he struggled with do not constitute what life will be when Jesus finishes his work in this world – but it is a normal part of life this side of heaven
Something has happened over the past 40-50 years in the American church that has led to us thinking that, once we give our lives to Jesus, then “poof” – immediately – all mental struggles go away. But, let me tell you: When a church embraces that kind of thinking, then all who struggle inside the church will feel we have to hide things; i..e., We will pretend that we’re already complete. But, that’s not what Scripture teaches – not at all!
As Tsega Worku says to me, “It used to be that when people had emotional and mental issues, they first went to church to find help. Now, they first go to the therapist – and hide their challenges in their life-journey from their church.” I am praying that you will not feel that way about our church. We are all “pieces of work” – but we’re pieces of God’s work. I believe that a big part of God’s healing in our lives when we go through mental health issues will often include good Christ-centered therapy – and it might include the use of good meds too.
But, foundationally, the church is to be a family involved in life together in such a way that, as the Apostle Paul wrote, We are to grow up together in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love (Eph 4:15b-16).
Here’s what I think: If we do not have people in our church and in our small groups who are wrestling with mental health issues – indeed, if we do not confess to the times when we ourselves are “downcast and disturbed” – then we have become a social club; not a church. Jesus said he had come not to heal the healthy (meaning those who pretend they are like the religious leads did). Jesus came to heal the sick (cf, Mk 2:17). And that includes all of us. And his promise to all of us is that he is in the process of healing what is broken – spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally. His promise is this: What he has begun in us, he will finish.
As I was preparing this message, I was speaking with someone very, very close to me who really understands mental health struggles. I said to her, “I’ll be speaking about mental health issues in my next sermon. Is it OK if I speak with you about it now?” And she said, “Of course, it’s OK. I want to speak about it. I just wasn’t sure that you would want to.” Do you see the implications of her words? She had experienced what so many experience, i.e., that we should not talk about mental illness in church.
As you may know, Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church and his wife Kay have become leading spokespersons about the church as a place of healing for mental illness. This happened when, after years of their son Mark struggling with mental health issues in secrecy from his church family, he took his own life. The Warrens wrote, “The biggest thing we can do as pastors and churches is to remove the stigma behind mental illness. We have to assure people that it’s not a sin to be sick. Your chemistry is not your character, and your illness is not your identity. We’re all broken.”
Our Key Provision: God’s presence experienced among God’s people. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. (42:1). I remember how I would… go to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise. (42:4).
It’s clear that the most important part of the psalmist’s need was to experience the presence and restorative power of God in his life. His “blues-Psalms” begin with that in 42:1 and end with that in 43:3-5. So, when any kind of mental or emotional distress hits you, there is often wisdom and help to be found in good meds, in good counseling, in learning to have better eating habits and sleeping patterns, in finding some relief from traumatic situations, etc. If you have not found that kind of help, we want to help you find it. We have a crisis intake number you can call: 626.844.4794. When you call that number, leave your name and contact information. One of our coordinators will get back to you and help you determine a next step, often one of finding a good counselor in our community or in our church counseling center.
But, as I said earlier -- The foundational need of every human being is to be in a genuine and close relationship to God. The key to experiencing God on a regular basis is your life within your community of people of faith. Do you believe that? Do you at least believe that is the way it should be?
Note this: The Psalmist who wrote Psalms 42-43 did know God and still he went through dark times. So, let me tell you: Even for us as believers, when we go through dark times, the greatest need we have is to have the assurance that God is with us. We still live by faith; not yet by sight. This entire Psalm shows us how a man who loves God but feels that God is far away seeks to experience the reality of God in his heart again.
And the key to him experiencing God on a regular basis was his worship life. The Psalmist wrote this “blues-Psalm” when he was away from his home worshipping community. See v.4: I remember how I would… go to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise. Do you see it? He missed going to worship. He missed singing with God’s people. He missed praying with God’s people.
I know that, sometimes, when mental distress hits, you may feel you don’t have the energy to go to church or to show up at your small group. But, this may be the very thing you most need to do. I am convinced the key provision that forms the basis for mental healing is a growing experience of God’s presence, love and sufficiency. And, I believe Scripture teaches that the main place to have that happen as a way of life is your participation in your local church – 1) worshipping regularly with us, 2) being a part of a smaller community (i.e., a small group) and 3) finding a place to serve in your church family.
Do Something! – Soul, why are you in turmoil? Hope in God! (42:5,11; 43:5)
When I was having my conversation about mental illness a few days ago with the person close to me, I asked if there was any simple suggestion that she has found helpful over the years. She said, “Yes, when the darkness comes, my counsellor told me just to do something. Get out from under that blanket of darkness. So, I do. I go wash the dishes. I sing. I call a friend to pray with me. Otherwise the darkness just seems to get darker.”
I read through these Psalms and I see the Psalmist “doing something” in the midst of his being downcast. What he did might be helpful to you too:
- Pray even when you don’t want to – I pour out my soul… Why have you forgotten me? (42:4,9)
He’s honest enough to ask “why!” in his prayer – and, he did it not just once – but four times. This is evidence of a true and honest relationship. For him, prayer was not simply reciting prescribed words. No, this man knew God and he talked with God about what was on his heart.
Praying in the midst of a bout with mental distress is a lot like opening your eyes in the middle of the night. At first, you can’t see anything – but then your eyes being to adjust. You begin – just begin – to see. In dark times, people of faith learn to pray even when we don’t feel like it. Just like our eyes adjust to the darkness when we wake up at night, when we fix our eyes on God we begin to see the light.
#2: Sing even when you don’t feel like it. At night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. (42:8)
These are not joy-filled Psalms. The Psalmist did not yet feel joy. This is a blues-song, pleading song. It is a song “to the God of my life.” That is, it’s a song in which he is pleading for his life. He sang something like the spiritual, “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen. Nobody knows – but Jesus…”
This is something I have learned to do. I find that music is a gift from God. Songs engage our emotions. When you sing songs expressing what you believe about God – calling you to apply what you believe about God to your current experience -- you often find your heart being lifted out of the darkness and into the light.
#3: Speak truth to yourself that you might not want to hear. You, God, are my stronghold… Why are you downcast, soul? Put your trust in God. (43:2,5)
Of course, you must know what God’s Word says to be true in order to do this. Throughout the song, the Psalmist takes the promises of God found in Scripture and speaks them to his inner being.
#4: Affirm God loves you even when you don’t feel it. By day the LORD directs his steadfast love. (42:8)
Even though the Psalmist says he felt as if God had forgotten him, he never stopped believing that God loves him, is with him and that God is absolutely in control over all his problems.
That is not to say that his struggles were over at the end of the song. He had been through waves of darkness before, so he knew another one might come again.
But, when he remembered God’s presence and God’s love for him, he began to find a breakthrough into the light. See 43:3-4: Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to the place where you dwell. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight, O God, my God.
That’s what we’re going to do right now, i.e., go to the altar of God as we go together to communion. We will remember the love of Jesus -- the greatest demonstration of God’s love to us in the history of the world… We will remember the power of Jesus -- greatest demonstration that power when Jesus overcame sin and death by his resurrection. And, we will acknowledge that we will need to gather in worship together, remember Jesus’ love and power, and experience God’s presence as we worship with our church family – and do all these things until Jesus comes again, and makes all things right and finishes his work so that each one of us will be complete in Christ (Col 1:28)…
Chinese Study Notes
遠古的話語—今天的渴望
精神健康
詩篇 42-43
那句悲傷的歌詞（藍調風格）是這樣唱的：“自她離去，陽光不再”，於是......
我之所以想唱這首我最喜愛的哀歌，是因為今天我們要看詩篇42-43。事實上，無論何時何地何文化，我們都會使用音樂，詩歌，文學和視覺藝術表達生活中的掙扎。我們所唱的哀歌也是跨文化的。
在我們的時代，許多“哀歌”被列在有關“精神健康”的條目中；焦慮，驚恐，抑鬱症，躁鬱症，偏執和精神分裂症，創傷後遺症，老年癡呆，強迫症及各種癮疾充滿我們世界的各個角落。
許多事情都會導致精神問題:
· 發生在我們身上的事 – 身體的，言語的，性虐待都可能導致各式各樣的精神問題，往往會造成受害者意識不到的傷害。
· 置身充滿壓力的環境 – 過於擁擠的環境，極度貧窮，不良家庭關係等，通常會給置身其中的人造成巨大影響。幾年前，美國疾病控制中心和凱撒醫療網聯合進行的一項稱為“不良童年經歷研究”證明了虐待，忽視以及壓力環境對一個人後來的精神和身體健康產生的影響。以下圖表顯示了這些影響的可怖程度 此圖表顯示童年所受的創傷，以及創傷誘發的社會因素如何導致後來的疾病，殘疾甚至死亡（圖表的上半部）。這使我想到最近報導的在邊境被扣留的移民兒童，他們所受的待遇將會如何深遠地影響到他們日後的精神和身體。
· 生物性因素 – 還要提到有些人身體的化學元素不平衡；另有些人似乎生來具有諸如抑鬱症，焦慮症的傾向等。
根據我的經驗，我認為所有這一切表明，影響精神健康的因素有內在和外在的。我相信你也會在詩篇42-43中看到類似情形。比如，在42：10和43：1-2節中，詩篇作者一定是感到他被對手包圍著。同時，詩篇也有足夠跡象顯示他天生具有情緒低落和易恐懼的傾向。
有關今天所渴望的遠古話語 – 我的心哪，你為何憂悶？為何在我裡面煩躁?
精神健康是我們這個時代的重要話題。當我決定將這個系列講道命名為“遠古的話語—今天的渴望”時，我就知道至少需要介紹一下這個話題以及聖經對此的看法。去年3月，我和一個基督教大學的學生發展專家們談論到精神健康這一話題，我開始意識到它的重要性。他們提到學生們希望學校和教會能在幾個領域提供幫助，其中種族問題，性別認同和性別問題是其中的三個。我們教會的Kara Powell在學生中做過類似研究，證實說她也聽到類似的情況。
然而，比上述情況更嚴峻的是精神健康問題。2019年由PEW 研究中心公佈的一份資料指出，抑鬱症和焦慮症是大學生們關注的首要問題 。對精神健康的關注是跨越種族、社會、經濟界限的普遍問題，是不同種族和不同經濟水準人們的共同話題。
這就是當代渴望，即對精神和情緒整全健康的關注。當我們看今天經文中的遠古之言時發現，儘管是在三千年前寫的詩句，詩人同樣道出了充滿今日社會的普遍掙扎。他在詩篇三段的開始都使用了同樣的詞：“憂悶”和 “煩躁” (42:5,11; 43:5)。 這是遠古的話語對今日所談論的精神健康的表述。
1. “憂悶” – 意思是消化、下到黑暗中，就是今天許多人向我表達他們抑鬱情形時所使用的字眼，換句話說，就是在他們頭上蒙上了一塊黑毯子，感覺所有的內在力量都消化殆盡，將你孤零零地留在黑暗中。
2. “煩躁”– 表達迷失，焦慮和不安的詞。
總結來說，這兩個字概括描述了人們經歷到的情緒和精神沮喪的感覺，儘管我們今天對精神健康問題使用了新名詞，但無論何時何地，它們依舊是人們生活在不完美和墮落世界中的寫照。對我而言，上帝啟示這兩章詩篇並放在聖經中，是對人類在精神疾病掙扎中的普遍現象說話：遠古的話語直指當今時弊。
#我們也如此 -- 我 的 神 啊 ， 我 的 心 在 我 裡 面 憂 悶 ， 所 以 我紀念你 （42：6）
關於詩篇，儘管我能說的有許多，但最重要的一點我想說，如果你或教會裡其他人有和世人一樣的精神、情緒健康問題，請不要感到奇怪。基督徒與非基督徒會有一樣的身體疾病—所以在精神和情緒健康上有掙扎並不稀奇。
這些問題在這兩首詩裡都有，在其它的詩中也不例外，說明神是知道他的子民有時會憂悶、煩躁。這首詩是為集體敬拜而寫，是一首可拉後裔的敬拜詩，而這些人就是負責神百姓聚集時的音樂事工，也就是說，這首詩是寫給信徒的。這首詩在聖經中與我們相關聯，我們信神、愛神卻也經歷黑暗。
天堂這邊的信徒與非信徒都要面對各種精神問題。在我們教會的宣言中，我們宣稱教會的目標就是説明每一個大家庭的成員在基督裡成熟，也就是說，我們知道每一個人都必須經歷醫治和成長才能成熟。神在世上設立了我們這樣的教會有雙重使命，一是為他做見證，一是讓神的百姓得到醫治和共同成長。聖經中詩篇42，43說明詩人認為這類的問題是世上生活正常的一面。他為此掙扎的精神問題在天堂的這邊就是正常生活的一部分，只有到耶穌成就萬事後才會消除。
在過去四、五十年，美國教會有一些誤導，即只要我們將生命交付耶穌，就會看到所有精神問題立即消除。但當一個教會有這樣的想法時，教會中有這方面掙扎的人就會認為我們在隱藏什麼----我們裝著自己已經完全了；但這不是聖經的教導，絕不是！
茨岡沃庫對我說：“從前當人們有了精神和情緒問題都會先來教會尋説明，現在卻首先去做心裡治療，並在教會中把自己的挑戰隱藏起來。” 我禱告你不會如此，我們都不完全，只是一部分，卻是神工作的一部分。我相信當我們有了精神方面問題時，神醫治的一個重要方面就是以基督為中心的治療，包括使用好的藥物。
本質上說，教會是一個家庭，有共同體的生活，如使徒保羅所寫： 凡 事 長 進 ， 連 於 元 首 基 督 ， 全 身 都 靠 他 聯 絡 得 合 式 ， 百 節 各 按 各 職 ， 照 著 各 體 的 功 用 彼 此 相 助 ， 便 叫 身 體 漸 漸 增 長 ， 在 愛 中 建 立 自 己（弗4：15b-16）。
我認為，如果我們教會或小組沒有人在精神健康方面有掙扎，如果我們不承認我們自己會憂愁沮喪，那我們就是一個社交俱樂部，而非教會。耶穌說，他來不是為醫治健康人（意指那些裝作屬靈精英的人），耶穌是要醫治有病的人（參見馬可福音 2：17），包括我們每一個人。他應許我們，他正在醫治破碎的身心靈和精神，並且應許說：他既開始了就會成就到底。
我準備這篇講道的時候，曾對一個非常瞭解精神健康的密友說：“我下一次講道時會談到精神健康，是否可以現在與你先談談？”她說：“當然，我願意，只是不清楚你需要什麼？”你們看到了麼？她有太多的經驗，以致我們這個話題是沒有窮盡的。
你們知道，馬鞍峰教會的華理克牧師和他的太太凱一直提倡教會就是醫治精神疾病的地方。這起因于他們的兒子馬可曾在教會獨自啜飲精神疾病的苦杯，以致自殺。華理克寫道：“作為牧師和教會能夠做的最大的一件事就是除去精神疾病的汙名，我們要讓人知道疾病不是因為犯了罪；你身體裡的化學元素不是你的性格，你的疾病不是你的身份，我們都是破碎的。”
我們重要的供應: 神在他子民中的同在。 神 啊 ， 我 的 心 切 慕 你 ， 如 鹿 切 慕 溪 水 。（42；1） 我 從 前 與 眾 人 同 往 ， 用 歡 呼 稱 贊 的 聲 音 領 他 們 到 神 的 殿 裡 ， 大 家 守 節 。 我 追 想 這 些 事（42：4）
很清楚，詩人最主要的需要是經歷神的同在和神能力對他生命的復原。他的“藍調詩篇”從42：1節開始一直到43：5。順便插一句，如果有任何精神、情緒的問題在干擾你，最明智的方法是找到對症的藥物，好的治療師，學會調理好睡眠和飲食，在困境中學習放鬆。如果你找不到這些資源，請打我們的緊急電話：626.844.4794，留下你的姓名和聯繫辦法，就會有人回復你並幫助你進行下一步。通常我們可以從社區或教會的關懷中心為你找到好的治療師。
不過，正如我先前所說，每一個人最根本的需要是與神有真實、親密的關係；日常經歷神的要訣就是在你的信仰群體中生活。你相信嗎？
記住：儘管寫詩篇42-43的人認識神，但他還是經歷了黑暗。所以當我們信徒經歷黑暗時，最大的需要就是對神的同在有確據。我們仍然憑信而活，而非眼見。整首詩讓我們看見一個愛神的人在感到神遠離的時候如何尋求神，讓神真實地回到心中。
對他而言，日常生活中經歷神的要訣就是敬拜生活。詩人寫“藍調詩”的時候，正遠離家鄉的敬拜團體，在4節：我 從 前 與 眾 人 同 往 ， 用 歡 呼 稱 贊 的 聲 音 領 他 們 到 神 的 殿 裡 ， 大 家 守 節 。 我 追 想 這 些 事 ……看到了麼？他懷念敬拜生活，懷念與神的子民一起頌贊，一起禱告。
我知道，有時在精神低落的時候，你可能提不起勁去教會或小組，但這其實是你最該做的。我確知對精神治療的重要供應就是建立有規律的聚會生活，經歷神的供應，神的愛、神的同在；聖經告訴我們經歷這一切的最佳之地就是你的地方教會---1）與我們有常規的敬拜生活；2）參加小組；3）找到合適的方式服事教會大家庭。
做一些事! – 我 的 心 哪 ， 你 為 何 憂 悶 ？ 為 何 在 我 裡 面 煩 躁 ？ 應 當 仰 望 神 （42：5， 43：5）
幾天前，當我和一個較親密的人談論精神疾病時，我問她，根據她多年的經驗，有沒有一些簡單的建議？她說：“有！我的諮詢師告訴我，當黑暗來臨時就要去做一些事，從黑暗的毯子裡走出。於是我做了，我去洗盤子，我唱歌，我給朋友打電話…不然的話，黑暗就會更黑暗。”
我讀了這首詩，我看到詩人在憂悶的時候做了一些事，他所做的也許可以幫上你：
#1： 就算你不想，也要禱告! 我的心及其悲傷…你 為 何 忘 記 我 呢 ？(42:4,9)
他在禱告中絕對誠實地問“為什麼！”而且不止一次，是四次！這就是與神有真實和誠實關係的證據。對他而言，禱告不是背誦一些寫好的詞，詩人認識神，他發自心底地與神交談。
在精神壓力下的禱告很像在黑暗中睜開眼。起初，你看不見什麼，但是當眼睛適應了，你就開始看見了。在黑暗的時候，有信心的人即便什麼也感受不到還是會努力禱告，就像我們夜裡睜開眼去適應黑暗。當我們定睛在神的身上，我們就開始看見光。
#2: 就算你感覺不到，也要歌唱！ 黑 夜 ， 我 要 歌 頌 禱 告 賜 我 生 命 的 神 。（42:8）
這些詩篇並非充滿歡樂，詩人還沒有感到歡樂，這是一隻藍調歌，祈求詩，唱給我生命的神；是一首為自己生命祈求的歌，有今天讚美詩的意味：“無人知道我經歷的困境，唯有耶穌……”
這就是我學會的一件事，我知道音樂是來自神的禮物，歌曲帶動我們的情感。當你唱詩表達你所信靠的上帝時，就呼召你將你所相信的應用在當下的經歷中，你就會常常發現你的心被提升出離黑暗進入光明。
#3: 就算你不想聽，也要對自己講真理！ 因 為 你 是 賜 我 力 量 的 神 … 我 的 心 哪 ， 你 為 何 憂 悶 ？ 應 當 仰 望 神 (43:2, 5)
當然，你必須知道神的話是真實的才能去照做。寫詩的過程中，詩人抓住了聖經中神的應許，並對自己的內心說話。
這首詩是如此真實的生命寫照，而結尾是真正值得注意的地方，詩人信靠神，儘管他還不想面對前路，因他經歷過黑暗，他知道另一波黑暗會再來。記住，最後一句是：“我 的 心 哪 ， 你 為 何 憂 悶 ？ 為 何 在 我 裡 面 煩 躁 ？ 應 當 仰 望 神 ， 因 我 還 要 稱 贊 他 。 他 是 我 臉 上 的 光 榮 ， 是 我 的 神。 ”
#4: 就算你感覺不到，也要確知神愛你！ 白 晝 ， 耶 和 華 必 向 我 施 慈 愛。（42：8） 儘管詩人說他感到神似乎忘了他，但他沒有懷疑神愛他、與他同在、在他一切困境中絕對掌權。詩人的掙扎即使在結尾部分也沒有過去，但當他開始找到進入光明的通路時，他在43：3-4說：求 你 發 出 你 的 亮 光 和 真 實 ， 好 引 導 我 ， 帶 我 到 你 的 聖 山 ， 到 你 的 居 所 ！ 我 就 走 到 神 的 祭 壇 ， 到 我 最 喜 樂 的 神 那 裡 。 神 啊 ， 我 的 神 ， 我 要 彈 琴 稱 贊 你 ！
這就是我們現在要做的，來到神的祭壇，一起領受聖餐，讓我們紀念人類歷史上神的愛最偉大的彰顯……
榮耀歸給神！
Greg Waybright 博士
主任牧師