O my God, my soul is cast down within me;
Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan,
And from the heights of Hermon,
From the Hill Mizar.
Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;
All Your waves and billows have gone over me.
The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,
And in the night His song shall be with me—
A prayer to the God of my life.—Psalm 42:6-8
Overpowered and overwhelmed by the noise of the Lord’s waterfalls and the waves and billows of His affliction, David has become despondent and in deep distress. In verse 6, however, instead of giving way to depression and fear, he purposes to remember God’s goodness to him in the past. As David called upon, communed with and meditated on God’s past deliverances, he was confident that his God of mercy and comfort would meet him in his current troubles.
Verse 8 is my favorite and a wonderful example of faith under duress and hope even in the deepest darkness of the soul. It is one to tuck away in our hearts for a time when it will be most certainly needed. David humbles himself under God’s mighty hand, and…
—knowing that the Lord’s goodness endures continually,
—knowing that though he now walked in the midst of trouble, God would revive him,
—knowing as it says in Psalm 93:3-4 that the LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, than the mighty waves of the sea.
…says with confidence
The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,
And in the night His song shall be with me
How awesome is that. The Lord will command His lovingkindness." The Lord was David’s KING and the Lord is our King. He is our “Commander”. In humbly crying out to God for help, David was in a place of obedience and blessing. In fact the Bible says in Deuteronomy 28:2 that the blessings for obedience will come upon us and overtake us. I love that!!
When we obey, His goodness and mercy follow us and overtake us. That is so comforting! Beloved…David knew this. He believed this. He trusted God and was helped.
Meditating on our God's sovereignty and lovingkindness is such an encouragement as we go through the many trials of life appointed for us. Dwell on His mercy. Remember His mercy. Pray for His mercy. Know that one word from Him will turn your darkness to light, your rough waters to calm seas, your mourning to dancing, and your complaints to praise. Make His mercy, truth, and power, your refuge. Take up the shield of faith which is your defensive weapons and believe in His power and in His promises. Remember His presence goes before you and is with you. Stay your mind on Him. Be strong and brave and let the Lord do what is good in His sight.
"For a mere moment I have forsaken you,
But with great mercies I will gather you.
With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment;
But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,"
Says the LORD, your Redeemer.—Isaiah 54:7-8
