Psalm 42:9-11
9 I say to God my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?"
10 My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, "Where is your God?"
11 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Commentary on Psalm 42:11
A helpful way to rise above our troubles is to focus on God, the source of our mercy. David recognized that his hardships were connected to God’s displeasure, which made him feel discouraged. Yet even when difficulties come one after another and seem overwhelming, we should remember that they are all under God’s control and purpose.
David looked to God’s favor as the source of every blessing he hoped for. Through the name of the Savior, we are encouraged to pray and place our hope in Him. Just one word from God can quiet any storm, turn deep darkness into light, and transform sorrow into praise. Our faith in God’s mercy should motivate us to pray with expectation.
In time, David’s faith prevailed as he chose to trust in the Lord and rely on Him fully. By calling God “my God,” he found strength to overcome fear and grief. We should never assume that God has forgotten us, especially when we trust in His mercy, truth, and power as our refuge.
We must resist despair and fight against doubt. In the end, faith and hope will win. We should take God’s promises personally, trust them for ourselves, and then bring them before Him in prayer.