Psalm 42:1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
Context: Psalm 42:2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? v. 5 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 6and my God.
From the lexicon: Hart=deer. Panteth=longs for. Water brooks=flowing water. Soul=living being.
Pulling it together: Psalm 42:1 describes a tremendous longing the believer ought to have in his heart for the living God equating it with a deer’s longing for flowing water. Verse 2 follows up by repeating this love of God and asks the question, ‘When shall I come before Him?”
The Christian life is based on God’s love for us and our love for Him. We have nothing without Him which is why in verse 5 of this Psalm the writer says, “Why am I so cast down?” The answer is we get that way when we get our eyes off of God and onto ourselves.
Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God.” But we get distracted by the cares of this world. Oh, to keep our eyes on Him, and how better than to feed on His word, not as an afterthought but daily.
Jesus also said, “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after (God’s) righteousness.” But do we do so?
Lord, I pray for grace to get my eyes off myself and onto You. I pray for the kind of love that seeks You always.