Introduction: Psalms 42 and 43 are really one Psalm that somehow got split into two Psalms when the entire book of Psalms was collected and published. Many Hebrew manuscripts keep them together as one Psalm. See how 42:5, 42:11 and 43:5 are identical. These verses are the "chorus" of the song, even as we have choruses that repeat in many of our hymns today.

The theme of this Psalm is discouragement, and how to get over it. David was singing the blues.

I. David expresses his discouragement in many verses.

A. He says that he is extremely thirsty for God. If a deer is extremely thirsty for water ("as the deer pants for streams"), that means that the deer has not had a drink for a long time. By saying that he is thirsty for God, David is telling us that he has not enjoyed God's fellowship for a long time, and he craves it.

B. He says that he has been crying tears both day and night.

C. He says that he feels as if God has deserted him. His enemies tell him that God has deserted him (42:3, 10), and that he feels deserted, too (42:9 and 43:2). "Why have You forgotten me? Why have You rejected me?"

II. You and I are just like David. We too get discouraged when we have problems. And we DO have problems: marriage problems, parenting problems, financial problems, broken friendship problems, meaning of life problems, health problems, problems that come with growing old. All kinds of circumstances rear their ugly heads, and sometimes we get very discouraged.

III. What did David do to overcome discouragement?

A. David continued constant in prayer, day and night. He talked to God. He poured out his soul. He boldly challenged God (42:9-10).

I have been reminded of some spiritual lessons these past two weeks, as our 2 month old grand-daughters have been visiting. When babies feel that they need attention, they let you know about it loudly and often! There is something about a crying baby that demands attention and help! God is our Father. Jesus told us that when we cry out for help loudly and often, we get God's attention.

Luke 11:5-10 The friend who is in need at midnight, is helped by his friend just to get him to go away. Jesus says "ask, seek, knock." Maybe we ought to ask louder and knock harder, when we are in need.

Luke 18:1-8 The parable of the unjust judge, who answered the widow's prayer, who would not stop bothering him. God is not the unjust judge. He will answer your constant prayer.

Pray harder. Get after God. Bother God with your prayers Be like Jacob wrestling with God at a place he named "Peniel" (face of God). See Genesis 32:

Gen 32:24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.
Gen 32:25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.
Gen 32:26 Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."
Gen 32:27 The man asked him, "What is your name?" "Jacob," he answered.
Gen 32:28 Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome."
Gen 32:29 Jacob said, "Please tell me your name." But he replied, "Why do you ask my name?" Then he blessed him there.
Gen 32:30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared."

B. David "remembered" God (Psalm 42:6).

We read often in the Psalms of David "remembering" God, who He is, and what He has done for His people.

Psa 63:6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.
Psa 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

Psa 77:11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
Psa 77:12 I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.
Psa 77:13 Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God?

Psa 105:4 Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.
Psa 105:5 Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,

Psa 119:52 I remember your ancient laws, O LORD, and I find comfort in them.

Psa 143:5 I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.

Scores of times in the Bible, God commands us to exercise our memories about Him. To remember who He is and what He has done. We can do what David did. When times get tough, remember God. Read the Bible, refresh your memory, meditate on what you read.

C. David looked to the future (Ps. 42:5, 11; 43:5):

"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."

"Hope" is a confident expectation about the goodness of your future life. David had hope. David says, "I will yet praise Him!" The future is bright. Things will get better. This too shall pass.

HOPE is one of the three great virtues of the Christian faith. I Corinthians 13, the love chapter, ends this way....

1 Cor 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.

HOPE is a key factor in overcoming discouragement. Paul wrote about how this works in his epistle to the Romans:

Rom 5:3 ...We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
Rom 5:4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Rom 5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Conclusion: David knew what is was like to experience the "dark night of the soul." Sometimes we may all feel discouraged and downhearted. What to do? Three things:

1. Pray constantly for relief.
2. Remember who God is, and what He has done. You can depend on Him.
3. Stir up hope. Look to the future. Assure yourself that "this too shall pass." As David said: "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." Amen