(6) SO HUNGRY FOR HIM! Psalms 42 and 63

INTRODUCTION:

 This week we have two different Psalms, with possible two different Psalmists, in two quite different locations. But both psalms have the identical theme: a great yearning and thirst for a close and real fellowship with God. We will try to study both psalms at the same time.

• Psalms 42 and 63: THE GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS

The Psalmist(s) pray(s) in two very different locations – yet both locations share a common factor that is distressing the Psalmist.

• What clues do we get as to the Psalmist’s location
• as he prays the prayer of Psalm 42?
• as he composes Psalm 63?
• What sort of places were these geographically, climatically? How do they contrast? Yet what do they have in common that distresses the psalmist?
• Why do you suppose he may have been in these paces? (Any clues in the 2 psalms as to this?)
• How do the different places colour the thoughts and language of each Psalm?

• Psalms 42 and 63: THE SPIRITUAL SITUATION

Two different geographical places – but a common experience.

THE PSALMISTS’ LONGING FOR GOD:

• How is the deep longing for God described in the two Psalms? How is the depth and intensity of it conveyed?
• Talk together about this experience of thirsting for God. Is this something you can relate to? If so, what is your experience? If not, why do you think that is? Is this a normal part of the Christian experience?

THE PSALMISTS’ LONGING FOR WORSHIP WITH GOD’S PEOPLE:

(Throughout the whole of the Book of Psalms the preciousness of personal, one to one, fellowship is evident everywhere. Yet also evident throughout is the very real joy experienced in public worship with the people of God, in the ‘house of the Lord’ as appears in these Psalms.)

• What elements of worship among the people of God in ‘the sanctuary’, ‘the house of God’ seem to have given the psalmist such great joy – and now distress him in their absence?

(For a few further instances, out of many in Psalms, of the joy and fulfilment of worship with God’s people, see:

Psalms 26.8 and 12; 27.4-6; 35.18; 43.3-4; 65.4; 84.1-4,10; 122.1-2, 149.1-4)

• What are the elements in worship experienced together with the family of God that bring you greatest joy?

(To put it another way, if you, like the Psalmist, found yourself totally cut off for a long period from fellowship and worship with God’s people, what would you greatly miss?)

• Do you find greater joy in public or private worship? Why?

• Psalms 42 and 63: THE ULTIMATE CONSOLATION
• Cut off and distressed as he is, how does the Psalmist (in each psalm) seek to rouse himself and encourage his drooping spirits? What is his hope?

CONCLUDING THOUGHT:

Big challenge this week! Do I understand the psalmist’s feeling of being thirsty for God? And when did I last experience it? And how deep is it?

And what if I don’t know what he’s talking about??

(Read Philippians 3.7-10: Paul’s hunger is to know Christ)

NOTE for Group Leaders:

THE GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF PSALMS 42 AND 63

It would seem that the writer of Psalm 42 was located miles away from Jerusalem and the Temple and the worshipping people of God, in the very far north of the country, near Mount Hermon (‘Mount Mizar’ is a puzzle). This is a very watery region as the snows of Hermon feed a multitude of springs and waterfalls – and in fact give rise to the springs that are the start of the River Jordan. The roaring and surging of the waters mirror the tumult of his soul. (See 42.6-7)

Psalm 63 is very different. Here it would seem (from the Psalm’s heading, but also from its language) the Psalmist is in a desert region without a drop of water. A dry and thirsty land that mirrors the dryness of his soul and his intense thirst for God. This location (the wilderness of Judah’) is in the very extreme south of the country, and is remote from both the people of God and the Temple. (See 63.1-2)

Possibly the Psalmist on both occasions is in some sort of enforced ‘exile’ (like David, fleeing from Saul?) and feels all the distress of being completely cut off from friends, family and faith.