Hope in God
There will be times in our lives of great grief and sadness. Intense sadness and grief can lead to despair (depression). This psalm speaks of a believer in who is struggling with despair. Those around him assault his character, ridicule his actions, and assail his trust in God (3,9,10). His soul has been battered by the constant opposition (6,11).
The psalmist begins by pouring out his heart before the Lord (1-4). He has been away from the fellowship of the saints and is dry spiritually. Like a deer thirsting for water, so his soul thirsts after God (1-2). As he contemplates his hard circumstances, he prays to the Lord. He remembers the past days of great joy in the midst of God’s people (3-4).
He exhorts himself in the midst of his despair three times (5, 6, 11). First, he reminds himself to hope in God, and wait patiently with great anticipation of gathering with His people. He shall praise God publicly again and be in God’s presence with His people (5).
Second, he reminds himself of the perfections of God (6). He has seen God’s creative power demonstrated (6-7); and in both day and night the loving-kindness of the Lord is constant toward His people (8). He runs to God, his rock, and asks God how long before he acts to save him (9-10).
Third, he reminds himself again to hope in God. He will be able to praise God in the future for His deliverance.
What is the antidote to despair? The remembrance of God’s faithfulness in the life of the believer, and the joyful fellowship of the saints. The truth of God’s word helps believers in every circumstance to understand themselves and interpret their circumstances rightly (Jam 1:1-4).