Psalms 41:1-42:11

41:1| Blessed is begins (1:1) and closes the first book of Psalms, the forming bookends for this part of the collection (chapters 1-41).

42:1-43:5 | These are teaching psalms from David. He wrote them when his son Absalom defected. From David we learn that hope is most alive when everything else seems hopeless.

42:6 | King David found himself in a place of discouragement, looking back over the Jordan Valley at what used to be of his kingdom and was no longer. His heart glanced back to remember the history of the great God he served (77:10-20).

42:8 | When people worship and praise God, they become aware of His magnificence. Suddenly, the circumstances of life begin to pale when compared to the greatness of God.