In this psalm the psalmist is despondent because he can’t go to the Temple as he has been able to in the past. He’s hounded by enemies who are keeping him from making the trip.
Today we quote the first verse of this psalm, in praise and worship, to indicate our longing for God’s presence just like a deer racing to water to quench its thirst. Like a child longing for their mother. Like a man or woman longing for their spouse.
Even when we pray we wonder if God has forgotten us, does He hear us, does He care? All the time our enemies are taunting us. Pointing and saying if God loves so much why are you sick, broke, alone, sad, and discouraged? Even in the face of those taunts we can say that our hope and trust is in God.
Our longing for God’s presence is overwhelming until we remember who God is. And He loves us. We remember that He said that He would never leave us.
1 John 4:9-10 (NLT)9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)6 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
While we search for God’s presence we remember the times when when we felt His presence in our lives without the trials and tribulations of this word. We then remember Jesus’ promise
John 16:33 (NLT)33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Like the psalmist we conclude that even in times of trouble we are not alone and we can say with him; “I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!”
Today we quote the first verse of this psalm, in praise and worship, to indicate our longing for God’s presence just like a deer racing to water to quench its thirst. Like a child longing for their mother. Like a man or woman longing for their spouse.
Even when we pray we wonder if God has forgotten us, does He hear us, does He care? All the time our enemies are taunting us. Pointing and saying if God loves so much why are you sick, broke, alone, sad, and discouraged? Even in the face of those taunts we can say that our hope and trust is in God.
Our longing for God’s presence is overwhelming until we remember who God is. And He loves us. We remember that He said that He would never leave us.
1 John 4:9-10 (NLT)9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)6 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
While we search for God’s presence we remember the times when when we felt His presence in our lives without the trials and tribulations of this word. We then remember Jesus’ promise
John 16:33 (NLT)33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Like the psalmist we conclude that even in times of trouble we are not alone and we can say with him; “I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!”
Enthusiasm For God’s Presence
Psalm 42:1-11 (NLT)1 As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. 2 I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?3 Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?”4 My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration!5 Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and6 my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you— even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar.7 I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.8 But each day the LORD pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.9 “O God my rock,” I cry, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies?”10 Their taunts break my bones. They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?”11 Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!
"AS THE DEER PANTETH FOR THE WATER"
written and composed by Martin (Marty) J. Nystrom
Chorus 1
You alone are my strength my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship Thee
Verse 1
As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after Thee
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship Thee
Verse 2
You're my friend
And You are my brother
Even though You are a King
I love You more than any other
So much more than anything
Verse 3
I want You more than gold
Or silver
Only You can satisfy
You alone are the real joygiver
And the apple of my eye
Psalm 42:1-11 (NLT)1 As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. 2 I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?3 Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?”4 My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration!5 Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and6 my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you— even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar.7 I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.8 But each day the LORD pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.9 “O God my rock,” I cry, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies?”10 Their taunts break my bones. They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?”11 Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!
"AS THE DEER PANTETH FOR THE WATER"
written and composed by Martin (Marty) J. Nystrom
Chorus 1
You alone are my strength my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship Thee
Verse 1
As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after Thee
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship Thee
Verse 2
You're my friend
And You are my brother
Even though You are a King
I love You more than any other
So much more than anything
Verse 3
I want You more than gold
Or silver
Only You can satisfy
You alone are the real joygiver
And the apple of my eye
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