Pastor Lowell Nelson teaches about Psalms 42-45 "Trusting God Through Spiritual Discouragement" on 1/28/2026 for our Wednesday service.
Psalm 42
This Psalm explores the concept of Inner Exile. The pain of this inner struggle grows when an individual is not fellowshipping with other believers. It details the soul’s inner struggle because of present distress and the Power of Emotions. This Psalm highlights a tension in trusting emotions during trials: my emotions resist truth, while my spirit trusts one truth, and my emotions deceive with a false truth (vs. 6).
Psalm 43
Psalm 43 is framed as a Prayer to remove the inner struggle described in Psalm 42, emphasizing the Power of Intellect. It teaches that in trials, one must resist the cry of emotions and turn instead to God’s truth and light. That alone will restore my joy and hope (vs. 3: Light and truth).
Psalm 44
This is a Corporate Lament but also a remembrance of the Past Faithfulness of God. The text describes a wrestling of a great theological question: Does suffering always stem from disobedience? It focuses on remembering the past promises while struggling with the present crisis, leading to a core theme of Trusting in Future Faithfulness. The focus is on trusting in God’s past faithful acts, as God’s past saving acts remain the lens through which we look at present sufferings. The Psalm describes the present crisis honestly and asks the challenging question: I am faithful. Where Are You! Psalm 44 asks where is Our King? Psalm 45 answers that question.
Psalm 45
Psalm 45 focuses on Trusting in Jesus Alone. It answers the question posed in Psalm 44: I have been faithful! Where are YOU! Psalm 45 answers this question not by explanation, but by revelation.
