Deep Calls Unto Deep
In the Psalms, David opens up to the world the secret struggles of his heart. He lays it all out in the open, for all to see. His sins, his yearnings, disappointments, doubts and despairs are all out there for public examination. How do you respond to his struggles? Do you judge him or identify with him? If we can be honest with ourselves and admit that at times we too are cast down, then we can hear the solutions David came to and learn from him how to get back on our feet.
In the 42nd chapter of the Psalms, David bears his heart. In verse 2, he says, “my soul thirsts for God,” In verse 3, “my tears have been my food day and night.” And in verse 6, “My soul is cast down within me.” His troubles were more than he could bear. He cried out to God and there was no answer. Those around him said that God had forsaken him. In verse 7, he says, “Deep calls unto deep at the noise of your waterspouts; your breakers and your waves have gone over me.” The waterspouts David was referring to were like tornados of water, (cyclones). These spouts are frequent on the coast of Syria, and I am sure the Psalmist was aware of them and the destruction they make. David is at the bottom of the pit. It was his “night of the soul”.
To get back on top, David had to take command of his soul. His remedy was not to feel sorry for himself, nor could he find peace in blaming others. He couldn’t get up by looking down. His thirst was for God and God alone. He had to remind himself of the goodness of God and he had to place his thoughts on the days when he led the people in praise as they went into the house of God; of the glad shouts and songs of praise. He saw that his solution was in God and he longed to be restored to that place of praise. So he commanded his soul by saying to himself: “Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”
Against all the emotions of defeat and against all the doubts of his mind, David began to praise the Lord. He praised his prayer. He declared God’s steadfast love over his life. He drank, once again, from the wells of his salvation. In his night, the song returned and by day the Lord commanded his steadfast love. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
If you are in the “night of your soul”, go deep into your spirit and take charge. Break through the emotions, rise up above the doubts and command your soul to do the Spirit’s will. Say to yourself: Hope in the Lord. Rejoice always. In all things give thanks. The waves may come over your soul, like a flood, but the Lord will rise up a standard against it. From the “deep” of your spirit, cry to the “deep” of your soul: “Praise the Lord!”
Scriptures to meditate on:
Ps.69; 42; 63; 30.5; 91; Phil. 4.4; I Thess. 5.18