Have you ever felt like the weight of the world is on your shoulders? Have you ever been in a situation where it seems like all of life’s waves and billows are crashing over you? Do you ever feel like you’re drowning in your problems, uncertainties, and unspoken hurts?
In these moments, it’s important to remember the words of Psalms 42:7-8
‘Deep calls unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Yet the LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.’
Though written poetically, these verses carry profound truths. Together, we will dive into each verse and phrase expositorily, drawing lessons from the Psalms for life and living today. Let’s embark on this journey of discovery and healing, finding comfort and strength in the timeless wisdom of the Scriptures.
Deep calls unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts. This phrase reflects the severity of the trials we sometimes undergo. It can feel as if the whole world is against us, with all of life’s challenges converging on our weary souls.
All thy waves and thy billows have gone over me. Do we, at times, feel that even when we proverbially look up, all we see are our many uncertainties and problems, intertwined with unspoken hurt? Mental pain often leads to the physical deterioration of the body. Though the individual remains in the world of the living, their deeds, or lack thereof, portray the opposite. In such cases, feelings are numb, and interactions are merely motions without any sincere connection.
However, this is where things begin to change. Remember, most wounds only heal when the discomfort intensifies, a process that is out of our control. This we read: Yet the LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime.
Many of the problems we face in life stem from the absence of love. Individuals often try to find this missing love or fill its void, but when they go about it the wrong way, it results in more problems than initially anticipated. Moreover, there exist individuals whose consciousness is devoid of love. Their intentions, tainted by this absence, lead them to cause harm to others. The manifestation of their intent, whether through physical actions or verbal exchanges, inflicts damage and distress upon those around them.
Nevertheless, the preceding phrase begins with the conjunction ‘Yet.’ That is to say, in spite of all that has happened, the Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime.
Note, it is the Lord who commands His lovingkindness toward you. If you could have, you wouldn’t be in the situation you are in to begin with. Too often, we try on our own so that all may see our efforts and work, but our pillow remains our only friend, holding the countless secrets through the tears shed upon it. Now, it is time to let go and allow the Lord to command His lovingkindness upon you, for a change.
One might question, ‘Considering God is all-powerful, why hasn’t He changed my situation already?’ Yes, God is indeed all-powerful, but God is also love, and true love never imposes itself, regardless of its power. Love must be accepted for it to be established. Therefore, when we surrender our will, the Lord steps in to transform what seems to be an unchangeable circumstance.
At times, even though we experience the light of the day outwardly, within our hearts remains the darkness of anxiety and uncertainties. Yet, the LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime. No matter how difficult or challenging it may seem, there is always a hidden blessing or a positive aspect that can provide comfort, even if you are not yet aware of it. The Lord’s lovingkindness will serve as a belt and an anchor in your rough sea. As a belt, it will keep you composed, and as an anchor, it will keep you steady during the storm of life. So then, let us not fall for the same old mistakes, wrapping ourselves in the belts of our own making. Overworking to drown our sorrows, in the process, we slowly drown ourselves.
Without a sure anchor, an individual is tossed back and forth by every change and occurrence around them. Impatient reactions without an anchor can lead to regrettable results. Yet, the LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime.
Next, we read, ‘In the night His song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.’
Observe the phrase, ‘His song shall be with me.’ A song often speaks of praise. However, many individuals find themselves without any praise on their lips, not because they have an ungrateful heart, but because the music and songs they listen to trap their minds in a state from which they cannot escape. They listen to these songs that anchor them to the past, causing their presence to become obsolete and weary. So, what are you listening to? Many individuals are broken, and they listen to songs of brokenness, waking up the next day even more broken. Interestingly enough, they return to the same songs and more, echoing brokenness and pain.
Many of the songs of the world (not all, but many) are not with you, nor do the singers know you or care about you. These songs are designed to lure you to a place that you cannot return to.
But as the phrase reads, ‘His song (The song of the Lord) shall be with me.’ While certain songs are designed to draw you back to places of painful memories, the songs of the Lord, on the other hand, will accompany you in every situation. As a result, you will begin to have praise on your lips, seeing more of God and less of your problems.
The right gospel song can become a prayer in your heart, forming an intimate bond between you and the God of your life. Even at times when you don’t know what to say or how to pray, let the lyrics of the many inspired songs speak through you. This allows you to connect with God rather than dwelling on your problems and your past. As you rest upon your pillow at night, these words plant seeds of change and hope for a new day. This sentiment is beautifully expressed in the lyrics of Helen Howarth Lemmel’s hymn.
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
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