Meditation For A Depressed Heart
The sons of Korah (also descendants of Kohath) were descendants of a Levite who rebelled against Moses – Numbers 16.
This group of Levites were given the ministry of
… lead[ing] the music at the house of the LORD after the Ark was placed there. They ministered with music at the Tabernacle until Solomon built the Temple of the LORD in Jerusalem. They carried out their work, following all the regulations handed down to them.
1 Chronicles 6:31-32 NLT
They are attributed several Psalms but while listening to Chris Tomlin’s song, Waterfall, I was intrigued by the origin of the chorus. Upon searching I found Psalms 42 to be the genesis of the idea. Reading more about these men who were the ministers of music verse 4 struck me;
“… I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshippers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration!”
The writers’ first two verses made more sense.
“As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. Where can I go to stand before Him?”
These men had lost their joy, if not their vocation. They had learned the desperation of not enjoying and exalting the living God. Their words in verses 5 & 6 show their feelings and where they decided to meditate and focus their thoughts.
“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!Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you ….”
This method of focusing on God’s qualities, His praise-worthiness, His holiness, His beauty, love and salvation has been demonstrated in my experience.
When Paul says
“… taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB
I think this is a way to achieve that; focusing my thoughts on God’s immutable attributes.
Psalm 42
For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah.
As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?” My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration! 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! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you–even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar. I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. But each day the LORD pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. “O God my rock,” I cry, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies?” Their taunts break my bones. They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?” 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!
Psalms 42:1-11 NLT