Praising Scripture - Dec 8

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

AMO.3-4
ACT.20

2024 31-Day Praising Day 8:

Praising God with a Longing Heart (Psalm 42:1-11)
(Memory Verses: 1, 5-8)

To the Chief Musician. A Contemplation of the Sons of Korah.
1 As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night,
While they continually say to me,
“Where is your God?”
4 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.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance.
6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me;
Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan,
And from the heights of Hermon,
From the Hill Mizar.
7 Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;
All Your waves and billows have gone over me.
8 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.
9 I will say to God my Rock,
“Why have You forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10 As with a breaking of my bones,
My enemies reproach me,
While they say to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”
11 Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.

Reflection:
Psalm 42 and 43, written by the sons of Korah, express their deep longing and devotion to God during their exile in Babylon. Though they were unable to worship and celebrate in God’s house with others, their longing for and praise of God helped them overcome the "cast down" and "disquieted" state of their souls. They found comfort, strength, and hope in His countenance.

Through the New Covenant accomplished by the blood of Christ, we now enjoy God’s abiding presence, "Emmanuel." Yet, without the sons of Korah’s vibrant and fervent longing for God, and without a yearning to worship with fellow believers, our spiritual lives can become dry, lacking vitality and strength.

Praise the Lord! The psalmists’ words show us the living and personal relationship we can have with God! Our worship and praise to Him can be so genuine and passionate! Yes, dear Lord, we ask You to reveal Your love and beauty to us more deeply. “Open our eyes and captivate our hearts,” so that we may experience Your lovingkindness by day and lift up songs of praise and prayer to the God of our lives by night!