Sermon Snippet – Hart Hymn
INTRODUCTION – Psalms 42 and 43 provide a poetical picture of a very real situation – the distress of the believer in this sin-cursed world.
1. THE IMAGERY OF THE HART IS MEMORABLE
“As the hart panteth after the brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God” (42:1). We all love to see deer (perhaps not in our gardens). Around here, they have ample food and water sources, but Israel was a dry and thirsty land. The dehydrated deer becomes a symbol for the believer who is separated from the place of worship (likely by the Psalmist’s exile in a foreign nation). C. S. Lewis aptly called this a picture of an “appetite for God”; it contrasts with the food (“meat” – 42:3) of “tears” that dominated his emotions.
2. THIS CONFLICT IS SEEN IN THE PSALMIST’S INTERNAL DIALOGUE
He addresses his “soul” (42:5, 11; 43:5), the very essence of who he is. He is distressed (“disquieted” – 42:5, 11; 43:5). Two thoughts come to mind. First, as I often say, the Bible is realistic. It presents real events and raw emotions. God’s Word captures the back-and-forth, up-and-down interplay between despair and “hope” (42:5, 11; 43:5). The psychological insights of the Word are profound. When we read it, we learn about our Savior God, but we also learn about ourselves. Second, God knows how we are feeling. It does no good to pretend that all is well when it is not. If we are not honest with God, then we are not honest people.
3. DIALOGUE WITH GOD IS A NECESSARY GOOD
The Psalmist addresses himself, but then he also addresses God (42:6). Life is a journey, sometimes over rough terrain and through deep water. It is good to have a dependable Companion alongside. The Psalmist speaks to God as if He is walking alongside – because He is!
4. IT IS HELPFUL TO REMEMBER
The troubles of the moment – real trials, real tribulations – can enslave us. The Psalmist recalls times of blessed worship with like-minded believers (42:4); He also remembers the abiding presence of God (42:6). This realization reminds him of God’s promises, of His “lovingkindness” (42:8) – His covenant, His unbreakable covenant of love. Past, present, and future are all important to God.
5. JOY IS BETTER THAN HAPPINESS
The Psalmist had experienced the “joy” of worship (“praise”) with other devout believers at the “house of God” (42:4). He anticipates a return – if not in this life, then in the life to come (43:3-4). Happiness, unlike inflation under the Biden regime, is transitory. Joy is certain, based upon the unchanging character and the specific promises of God.
6. MUSIC MATTERS
“In the night His song shall be with me” (42:8) – yes, in the darkest night. The Psalmist expects more uplifting music (43:4) – a lifetime, an eternity, of “praise” as he plays his “harp” (43:4).
CONCLUSION – Poetical imagery of the hart is also employed in Isaiah 35:6: “Then shall the lame man leap as [a] hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing; for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.” Through faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ, we enter into heavenly life. Each believer will “leap as [a] hart.” May this hart hymn become our heart hymn.