November 5th, 2913

Psalm 42:5 — Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

When we are lonely or depressed, or discouraged, it’s time to meditate on God’s kindness and love, for in the end, our only hope is in him.
There is a hymn written by a German lady with the wonderful name Catharina Amalia Dorothea von Schlegel and translated by a Scottish lady, Miss Jane Bothwick. It’s inspired by Psalm 42:5 and Psalm 43:5 – which are actually the same. The first and last verses are:

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.?Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.?Leave to thy God to order and provide;?In every change, He faithful will remain.?Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heav’nly Friend?Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise?On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;?Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,?So shall He view thee with a well-pleased eye.?Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine?Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

The psalmist and the inspired hymn writer both take themselves to task. Those of us who are, from time to time, depressed – and I am one – have some things to consider. I like this list from Albert Barnes (I’ve shortened it a bit!):

There are two sides to the events which occur, and which seem so discouraging to us – a dark side and a bright side.

In certain states of mind, we are prone to look only on the dark side, to see only what is gloomy and discouraging.

This often becomes in a sense voluntary, and we find a melancholy satisfaction in being miserable, and in making ourselves more unhappy, as if we had been wronged, and as if there were a kind of virtue in dejection and gloom

We are often guilty, of putting away those consolations which God has provided for us.

It is the duty of the people of God to look at the bright side of things; to think of the past mercies of God; to survey the blessings which surround us still; to look to the future, in this world and the next, with hope; and to come to God, and cast the burden on Him.

I’m reminded that whenever I’m feeling down, I should be asking myself “why?”. The word “disquieted” is especially evocative. It speaks of the noise that a disturbed and roiling sea makes, a moaning not unlike the growling of a bear. What should I do, instead of wandering around like a bear with a sore head?
The psalm says what I should be doing — “Hope thou in God”. That is, trust Him, and hope that he will interpose and restore to me the privileges and comforts previously enjoyed. When all other hope fails He can and will aid us.
“For I shall yet praise him” – I need to remember that troubles will not last forever, and I will have the chance to thank Him again.
“For the help of his countenance” – I will always be in His presence and He will approve me.
If the promises in these psalms, beautifully interpreted in the hymn, we’re not enough there are many others in the Bible. Here’s some places to look:

Psalm 34:7

Jeremiah 29:11

John 14:27

Romans 8:28

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Philippians 4:13

1 Peter 2:9

And one of my favorite scriptures, Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul.” Indeed.