Book Two (Psalms 42–72)
June 9 A READ PSALMS 42–49
A Mighty Fortress
OVERVIEW
Book Two of Psalms begins with a collection of psalms attributed to the descendants of Korah. The first two express the longing of the troubled soul for God (Psalms 42–43), followed by a prayer for victory in the midst of trouble (44). By contrast, Psalms 45–48 extol God’s majesty (45), protection (46), and power (47–48). The section concludes with wise instruction concerning true riches (49).
MY DAILY WALK
Every tomorrow has two handles: the handle of anxiety and the handle of faith. Which will you use to get a “handle” on your day? In a day when pressing problems greatly outnumber available solutions in matters of national and international concern, where do you turn for stability?
You can turn to the same refuge the psalmist found. In Psalm 46 the descendants of Korah portray the worst calamities imaginable upon earth: earthquakes, landslides, and a raging sea (vv. 2-3). And when everything seems to be breaking loose, they proclaim that there remains an immovable Refuge, the God of Israel.
Before you close your Bible today, follow the instructions of verse 10. Remove as many distractions as possible, and take a few minutes to be still before the Lord. Turn over to him any fears you may be harboring; then write down the words of Psalm 46:10 on a three-by-five-inch card and carry it with you. Your Refuge is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
ANXIETY NEVER STRENGTHENS YOU FOR TOMORROW; IT ONLY WEAKENS YOU FOR TODAY.
INSIGHT
A Word about the Authors | Ps. 42:1
The sons of Korah were Levites, descendants of the man who died for his rebellion against Moses (Numbers 16). One part of the family became Temple gatekeepers (1 Chronicles 9:19) and another the singers and musicians in the Temple choir (1 Chronicles 6:31-47).
For the choir director: A psalm* of the descendants of Korah.
1As the deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God.
2I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I go and stand before him?
3Day and night I have only tears for food,
while my enemies continually taunt me, saying,
“Where is this God of yours?”
4My 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!
5Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
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.
7I hear the tumult of the raging seas
as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.
8But 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?”
10Their taunts break my bones.
They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?”
11Why 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!