Notes for Teacher/Facilitator
Psalm 42 expresses the sentiment of someone who is unable to worship God corporately at the temple. We don’t know the reason (illness, distance, enemies, etc.) but we do know that most ancient Israelites would not have been able to visit the temple as often as they would have liked. Thus, almost everyone would have been able to relate to Psalm 42. The words of distress and hope would have sounded like the heart language of so many. Fast forward to today and our culture that struggles so mightily with discouragement and depression; Psalm 42 can be a great source of comfort and encouragement for us!
Word Studies
Here are a few notes about particular words in this psalm:
- Thirsts (tsame) – v.2: Literally means to be parched, the experience of not having water for a long time. This feeling would be common for someone living in the rough and arid landscape of ancient Israel. Figuratively this word means to have a deep longing for someone or something, especially if that someone or something has been absent for some time. See also Psalm 63.1.
- Remember (zakar) – vv.4, 6: This word means bringing something to mind from the past so as to affect one’s present feelings, thoughts, and/or actions. If the thing, person, event, etc. recalled is positive, then the present impact may well be positive. If the memory is negative, it may well have a negative impact in the present. However, when one is bringing to mind a positive experience that is now out of reach for one reason or the other, the present impact could be less than positive.
- Downcast (shachach) – vv.5, 6, 11: This word literally means to bow or being bowed down, which would, of course, cause one’s eyes to be cast down as well. Figuratively it means to experience despair, to be humbled, to be weakened, etc. This is a strong and evocative word and it is almost never used of a situation characterized by passing sadness, instead it is used in situations of pervasive sorrow.
- Hope (yachal) – vv.5, 11: Literally this word means to wait. Figuratively it carries with it the idea of waiting with expectation and when we are asked to wait on God it implies that God is worth waiting on because he always comes through (in his time and in his way).
- Disturbed (hamah) – vv.5, 11: This is a very lively Hebrew word that literally means something like to growl, to roar, or to murmur. In the context of Psalm 42 we see that the psalmist is saying that his soul, which is despairing, is roaring within him. I imagine a caged, frightened, and angry animal.
- Oppressed (lachats) – v.9: Like so many Hebrew words used in the Psalms, this word has a literal meaning (to squeeze or to press) and a figurative meaning (to oppress). This is a common word in Exodus, the psalms, and the prophets as well. In Psalm 42 it is the enemy of the psalmist who is oppressing him through his unkind taunts in the midst of the psalmist’s mourning.
Introduction
- Open your class/community time with prayer. Ask the Spirit of God to reveal himself to all of you through the Scriptures and through your discussion together.
- Discuss last week’s challenge and encourage people to share how the challenge went for them.
- Discuss together why it is that our culture is so full of discouragement and depression. This will be a good jumping off point for the discussion to come.
Bible Questions
- What do our souls pant for? What do our souls thirst for? Why do you suppose that we are so tempted to pant for and thirst for just about anything other than God?
- What role does remembering the past play in your present life? Are you tempted to be very nostalgic? Or are you very tempted to forget about the past altogether? What are the pros and cons of each way of relating to the past?
- Can you relate to the psalmist’s desire to be able to worship at the temple again? Have you ever been separated from corporate worship for an extended period of time? How was that for you?
- When our souls are downcast and disturbed where do we turn? Be honest. How can we help one another turn more and more to God and his community in those times?
- In verse 7 the psalmist likens his experience of depression to waves of water threatening to drown him. Is this a good image to describe despair and depression? Why or why not?
- Why do you think the psalmist is able to place his hope in God and to yet praise him despite being very discouraged and depressed? What can we learn from his example?
Discussion Questions
- What does this psalm reveal about God that inspires us to love and worship him more?
- How can we help one another when we face discouragement and despair?
- How can we take what we know about God’s love and goodness to help those who are far from God experience some healing and hope?
Takeaway
“There is no person so far away from God that God’s loving presence cannot provide a balm to their soul.” ~Pastor Greg Waybright
Challenge
Who in your life is deeply discouraged or depressed? Find time this week to visit them, talk with them, or call them. Use your time with them to listen. Try not to step in and fix things or to give them religious answers. Instead, at the end of the conversation simply ask if you can pray for them. If you feel so bold, pray for them in that very moment, asking God to be close to them and to remind them of his great love for them.