Restored Joy – Psalm 42 & 43

Read Psalm 42 & 43

Discussion

  1. What words, images, or ideas stood out most to you from these psalms? Why?

  2. What do you notice the psalmist experiencing?

    • Spiritually?

    • Emotionally/mentally?

    • Physically?

    • Relationally?

  3. What might be some of the untruths that this psalmist is tempted to beleive about God based on his experience?

  4. Read the following quote:
    Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself? Take those thoughts that come to you the moment you wake up in the morning. You have not originated them, but they start talking to you, they bring back the problem of yesterday, etc. Somebody is talking. Who is talking to you? Your self is talking to you. Now this man’s treatment [in Psalm] was this; instead of allowing this self to talk to him, he starts talking to himself, ‘Why art thou cast down, O my soul?’ he asks. His soul had been repressing him, crushing him. So he stands up and says: ‘Self, listen for a moment, I will speak to you’.

    Dr Martyn Lloyd Jones

  5. What is the difference between listening to yourself and speaking truth to yourself? Why is that distinction so important for the Christian life?

  6. In Psalm 42:4 the psalmist deliberately remembers past experiences of worshipping God with joy. Why do you think remembering God’s previous faithfulness is such an important response when God feels distant?

  7. Throughout these psalms, how does the psalmist remind himself of:

    • God’s sovereignty (his rule and control)?

    • God’s steadfast love and faithfulness?

  8. Why are both of these truths, God’s sovereignty and God’s love, essential to hold onto during seasons of hardship, discouragement, or spiritual dryness?

  9. Even though the psalmist hasn’t yet seen his circumstances change, he continues to say, “Hope in God.” What does this teach us about biblical hope?

Apply

  1. The psalmist keeps choosing to put his hope in God, even while he still feels downcast. What do you think it looks like to actively fight for joy in God today?

  2. What are some practical ways you have found helpful in seeking to make yourself happy in God?

Pray (in smaller groups)

  • Is anyone going through a season of spiritual dryness, discouragement, grief, or weariness at the moment?

  • What’s one specific step you could take this week to keep hoping in God and pursuing joy in him?

  • Spend some time praying for one another, that God would strengthen weary hearts, remind us of his steadfast love, help us keep preaching truth to ourselves, and enable us to keep hoping in him until joy is restored.