Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore, I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.
- Psalm 42:5-7
Is it hard for you to trust God?
For some of us, it can be difficult when we have suffered hardship or great hurt.
We question why and wonder how we can trust a God who would allow sorrows and atrocities to occur.
But, hurt, sin, and pain grieve the Lord also.
While we don't understand all that God does, He is trustworthy. He desires that we believe in Him to carry out His goodwill for our lives.
As troubles bombard us, it's easy to feel like we are being knocked down and swallowed up by the waves of grief, anxiety, and pain. This isn't how it is supposed to be. We scratch our heads and wonder how people could do such terrible things to one another.
But unfortunately, it seems the news is a barrage of constant suffering. There are so many hurting people, and as the saying goes, "Hurt people, hurt people."
But the Psalmist tells us to remember God. We are to call to Him as deep calls to deep. When we observe the suffering of others, when we experience hurt, we need to remember that none of that awfulness comes from our loving Savior.
Instead, we must not forget that there is an enemy whose sole purpose is to steal, kill and destroy.
The answer to these turbulent, trying times is the radical love of Jesus!
God wants us to express our hurt to Him. He wants us to let Him work in our lives and heal us.
TODAY: Let the peace of God wash over you and carry you through the billowing sorrows and swells of pain. And, remember that God has overcome the world through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus.
With Love,
Sherry Shepherd
Some days, our hearts feel heavier than we know how to explain. We may be carrying grief, disappointment, fear, or questions that don't have easy answers. Psalm 42 reminds us that we can be honest about those feelings while gently turning our hearts back toward God. Take a few moments to slow down and write about what you're carrying. Let these prompts help you name what's weighing on your soul, remember God's faithfulness, and choose hope even when life feels overwhelming.
Journal & Reflect
- What has been weighing on my soul lately? Give yourself permission to write honestly about the sadness, disappointment, fear, or uncertainty you're experiencing.
- When my heart feels downcast, what do I tend to turn to first? Do you withdraw, worry, try to control things, or seek comfort elsewhere? What might it look like to turn toward God instead?
- What does it mean to speak hope to my own soul? Write down a truth about God's character or a promise from Scripture that you need to hear today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Psalm 42:5–7 mean?
Psalm 42:5–7 describes a person experiencing deep sadness and feeling overwhelmed by life's troubles. The psalmist honestly acknowledges his emotions but reminds himself to put his hope in God. The passage teaches us that faith doesn't mean ignoring pain; it means choosing to trust God even while we're hurting.
What does “Why, my soul, are you downcast?” mean?
The psalmist is speaking honestly to his own heart. He recognizes his sadness and asks why he feels so discouraged. Rather than allowing those feelings to define his future, he redirects his attention toward God and the hope he has in Him.
How can I put my hope in God when I'm feeling overwhelmed?
Start by bringing your feelings to God honestly. Pray about what is troubling you, spend time in Scripture, and remember how He has been faithful in the past. Putting your hope in God doesn't mean every problem disappears; it means trusting Him while you walk through it.
Does having faith mean I shouldn't feel sad or discouraged?
No. The psalmist himself expresses deep sadness. Scripture makes room for honest emotions. You can experience grief, disappointment, or discouragement and still have faith. The invitation is to bring those feelings to God rather than carry them alone.
What does “deep calls to deep” mean in Psalm 42:7?
In this passage, the phrase is part of the psalmist's description of being overwhelmed by powerful waters and waves. It paints a picture of troubles that seem to come one after another. It reminds us that God can hear us even when our circumstances feel bigger than we can manage.
How can I remember God during a difficult season?
Make space to pray, reflect on Scripture, and write down ways God has been faithful. You can also revisit past prayers, answered prayers, and moments when He gave you strength. Remembering His faithfulness can help you hold onto hope in the present.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
You know when my heart feels heavy, even when I struggle to find the words. Help me bring my sadness, questions, and worries to You instead of carrying them alone. When life's waves feel overwhelming, remind me of Your faithfulness. Teach me to speak hope to my soul and trust You even when I cannot see what comes next. You are my Savior, and my hope is in You.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
Message from Kara
I think one of the most comforting reminders in this passage is that we can be honest with God about how we're feeling. We don't have to pretend we're okay when our hearts are hurting. We can bring Him the sadness, the questions, and the things that feel too heavy to carry.
As you spend time journaling, I hope you'll give yourself permission to be honest about what's weighing on your heart. But don't stop there. Take a moment to remember how God has been faithful and write down the hope you want to hold onto.
Your circumstances may not change overnight, but you can keep turning your heart toward the One who never changes. Put your hope in Him.
With Love,
Kara 🤍
Applying this to your Daily Routine
Take time to reflect, pray, and process what God is teaching you through every season. Our Personalized Prayer Journal was designed to help you grow deeper in faith—one day at a time–turning intention into habit. Many people use journals to revisit verses like these and reflect throughout the week.
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Today's devotional pairs beautifully with the Momentum | Personalized Scripture Journal
If you need encouragement to keep going, spend a few more moments with these devotionals:
1 Peter 1:6 Devotional: Joy in Trials
Lamentations 3:22 Devotional: His Mercies Never Fail
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