Why are You Cast Down, O My Soul | Morning Routine Daily Devotional for December 17

As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?” These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. — Psalm 42:1–6a ESV

The Book of Psalms is divided up into five parts, sometimes called books. Today’s Psalm begins the second of those books, and it was authored by the sons of Korah, who wrote songs to be sung to the Lord while David was king. They are credited with writing eleven of the 150 psalms. 

In today’s text, we see the psalmist compare his desire for the Lord to that of a deer for water. As water is necessary for life, so is the Lord necessary for our existence. As the psalmist exclaims: he thirsts for the living God. Though he knows that he serves the Lord, he is distressed.  Listen to his words, “My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’” Clearly, his situation was disheartening, and God didn’t seem to be intervening. Yet, as he continues, he recalls better times of joy, worship, and thanksgiving. He then raises the question, “Why are you cast down, O my soul?” In light of the greatness and salvation of God, his current worries pale in comparison. It’s this redirected focus on the Lord, that melts his concerns.

When you are discouraged, do you remember that He is the goodness that you need? Though your soul may be cast down, remember the Lord; hope in Him. He has saved you! Tell and retell this good news! Tell it to yourself but not only yourself—share it with others, too! Though the challenges of this broken world are real, Christ is still on the throne. All is well.