“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!” (Psalm 43:5 NLT).
There are at least two ways of understanding this Scripture. The first is to view the psalmist as truly questioning the source of his feelings of discouragement and sadness. He knows that he is depressed, but he is not sure why. So, he is lifting up his heart to the Lord for inspection and insight.
After all, the Lord knows us better than we know ourselves. Sometimes we need help getting at the source of our sadness. After getting at the root of our dismay, then we can put our hearts aright by hoping in and praising the Lord.
The second way to read this passage is to view the psalmist as questioning why any kind of discouragement or sadness could ever find place inside of him. For all he has to do is put his hope in God and shout His praises and all discouragement disappears and all sadness turns to songs of joy.
Perhaps the psalmist had both motives in view. Perhaps we can too.
PRAYER: Dear Father, Your joy is unconquerable, therefore we lift our hearts from introspection to contemplation of You. We put our hope in You. You are our great reward. You are the source of our joy and happiness. When our eyes and minds are fixed on You, we are filled with joy and praise. So we set our hearts on You this day O Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.