When Depressed Psalm 42-43
When Depressed
Psalm 42-43
MESSAGES @ WHISPERING HOPE OCTOBER 2011
2nd When Depressed: Psalm 42-43, Samuel Ong
9th When Guilty: Psalm 51, Michael William
12-15th Special Session of the General Conference
16th The Entertainment World: Colossians 3:1-2; John 10:10, Rev. Dr. Andrew Tan
23rd When Anxious: Psalm 55, Goh Keat Peng
30th When in Doubt: Psalm 73, Annette Arulrajah
PSALMS
Collection of 150 songs of praise, prayers and spiritual poems. Hymnbook and prayer-book of the Jews.
Divided into 5 books, which parallel the Torah. Psalms 1-41; 42-72; 73-89; 90-106; 107-150.
Psalm (English) = Psalmos (Greek) = Tehillim (Hebrew) = musical praise or song of praise.
Korah collection = Psalms 42-49; 84-88 except 86.
SONS OF KORAH
The Korahites were Levites, descended through Kohath, Korah’s father (1 Chronicles 6:22-48; 9:17-32; 2 Chronicles 20:19). They were employed in the performance of temple music.
When the Israelites were wandering in the desert, Korah led a rebellion of 250 community leaders against Moses and perished by God’s judgment with the other leaders and their families (Numbers 16; Jude 11). For some reason, the sons of Korah were spared
It seems, from their later employment, that, in gratitude to God for his mercy, they must have dedicated themselves to producing and performing the music used to praise God at the wilderness tabernacle and later in the temple in Jerusalem (Numbers 26:11).
PSALM 42-43: STRUCTURE
42:1-5 Lament, 1-4 Refrain, 5
42:6-11 Lament, 6-10 Refrain, 11
43:1-5 Lament, 1-4 Refrain 5
DEPRESSION
An ever-present reality
DEFINITIONS
Severe despondency and dejection, typically felt over a period of time and accompanied by feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy
A condition of mental disturbance characterized by such feelings to a greater degree than seems warranted by the external circumstances, typically with lack of energy and difficulty in maintaining concentration or interest in life.
CAUSES (1)
DRYNESS – sense of thirst Forced absence from the temple
of God, where God was worshipped, 42:1-2
The taunt of unbelievers, 42:3 Memories of better days, 42:4
CAUSES (2)
DROWNING – sense of being overwhelmed The overwhelming trials of life,
42:7 Failure of God to act quickly on
our behalf, 42:9 The taunt of unbelievers, 42:10
CAUSES (3)
DISHEARTENED – sense of being misjudged Attacks from ungodly, deceitful
and wicked persons, 43:1
SYMPTOMS
Tears, 42:3
Fatigue (downcast), 42:5, 11; 43:5
Emotional disturbance, 42:5, 11:43:5 – troubled, in turmoil, sighs
Feeling overwhelmed (Drowning), 42:4
Feelings of rejection: distant from God, 42:9, 10, 43:2; mourning, 43:2
Murder in the bones, 42:10
SYMPTOMS (2)
Low or irritable mood most of the time
A loss of pleasure in usual activities
Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
A big change in appetite, often with weight gain or weight loss
Tiredness and lack of energy
Feelings of worthlessness, self-hate and guilt
Difficulty concentrating
SYMPTOMS (3)
Slow or fast movements
Lack of activity and avoiding usual activities
Feeling hopeless or helpless
A big change in appetite, often with weight gain or weight loss
Repeated thoughts of death or suicide
Low self-esteem
DEALING WITH DEPRESSION (1)
FACE UP TO YOUR FEELINGS 42:9 43:2 Refrain: Why so downcast? Why
all these sighs? 42:5, 11; 43:5 Escapism Defensive walls
DEALING WITH DEPRESSION (2)
REMEMBER THE PAST 42:4 42:8 Remember the faithfulness and
goodness of God
DEALING WITH DEPRESSION (3)
SPEAK TO YOURSELF Be logical: Why are you cast
down? Be realistic: I will YET praise him,
32:5 Be patient: Hope in God or Wait
for God. Be firm: Stop wallowing in self-
pity
DEALING WITH DEPRESSION (4)
PRAY FOR DELIVERANCE 43:1-4 “But even though absent, how present
God turns out to be,” being mentioned twenty-two times in the two psalms, with a series of titles suggesting a personal relationship: the living God, the face of God, your God, my God, my living God, my rock, God in whom I take refuge, God my exceeding joy. “God is omnipresent in a poem that complains of his absence” and “ironically, the pain of separation is a way of feeling the presence”. (Schaefer, Psalms, 109).