At the time of this writing David was alone and greatly missing fellowship with other worshipers. So he was crying out in loneliness,“I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God.WHENCANIGOANDSTANDBEFOREHIM?”(Psa. 42:1-2)He says “I want to worship with other believers!!!”This may be the way many feel during this COVID-19 pandemic!“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will PUTMYHOPEINGOD! I will PRAISEHIMAGAIN—my Savior and my God…each day THE LORD POURS HIS UNFAILINGLOVEUPONME, and through each night I SING HISSONGS, PRAYINGTOGOD who gives me life. (Psa. 42:5, 8) Like “Praise You in This Storm” by Casting Crowns, “Chainbreaker” by Zach Williams,“Trust in You” by Lauren Daigle, “Good, Good Father” by Chris Tomlin, “Whole Heart (Hold Me Now)” by Hillsong, “Greatness of Our God” by Newsboys.
This Psalm started out with“As the deer pants for the water brooks, SOPANTSMYSOULFORYOU, OGOD:”This starts out with a powerful image – a deer ACHINGWITHTHIRST. Perhaps the thirst came from drought or from heated pursuit; either way, the deer longed for and neededwater. In the same way, the psalmist’s soul LONGED FOR AND NEEDEDGOD. This is what we need WILLa real ACHINGTHIRST for God. Once again I say,“I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him AGAIN—my Savior and my God!”(Psa. 42:11)