Depressed – Psalm 42-43

Depression is a difficult topic to discuss; while folks are (thankfully) talking about mental health more and more, there is still stigma even to this day. So it feels great to be able to see these issues explored in scripture. What’s better is that Psal

An episode of the Queer Theology podcast, hosted by Queer Theology / Brian G. Murphy & Shannon T.L. Kearns, titled "Depressed – Psalm 42-43" was published on June 23, 2019.

June 23, 2019 · Queer Theology

Summary

Depression is a difficult topic to discuss; while folks are (thankfully) talking about mental health more and more, there is still stigma even to this day. So it feels great to be able to see these issues explored in scripture. What’s better is that Psalm 42-43 tells us that we have the power to do something about it instead of the usual “suck it up”. Stay tuned to hear more about what we think about today’s passage. Episode TranscriptBrian: Welcome to the Queer Theology podcast! Fr. Shay: Where each episode, we take a queer look at the week’s lectionary readings. We’re the co-founders of QueerTheology.com and the hosts for this podcast. I’m Father Shay Kearns B: And I’m Brian G. Murphy. FS: Welcome to the Queer Theology podcast. It is Sunday, June 23rd and today, we are going to look at Psalm 42 and 43. Which is one of the texts for today, and I’m gonna go ahead and read it before we jump in. Just like a deer that craves streams of water, my whole being craves you, God. My whole being thirsts for God, for the living God. When will I come and see God’s face? My tears have been my food both day and night, as people constantly questioned me, “Where’s your God now?” But I remember these things as I bare my soul: how I made my way to the mighty one’s abode, to God’s own house, with joyous shouts and thanksgiving songs— a huge crowd celebrating the festival! Why, I ask myself, are you so depressed? Why are you so upset inside? Hope in God! Because I will again give him thanks, my saving presence and my God. My whole being is depressed. That’s why I remember you from the land of Jordan and Hermon, from Mount Mizar. Deep called to deep at the noise of your waterfalls; all your massive waves surged over me. By day the Lord commands his faithful love; by night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life. I will say to God, my solid rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why do I have to walk around, sad, oppressed by enemies?” With my bones crushed, my foes make fun of me, constantly questioning me: “Where’s your God now?” Why, I ask myself, are you so depressed? Why are you so upset inside? Hope in God! Because I will again give him thanks, my saving presence and my God. Establish justice for me, God! Argue my case against ungodly people! Rescue me from the dishonest and unjust! Because you are my God, my protective fortress! Why have you rejected me? Why do I have to walk around, sad, oppressed by enemies? Send your light and truth—those will guide me! Let them bring me to your holy mountain, to your dwelling place. Let me come to God’s altar— let me come to God, my joy, my delight— then I will give you thanks with the lyre, God, my God! Why, I ask myself, are you so depressed? Why are you so upset inside? Hope in God! Because I will again give him thanks, my saving presence and my God. B: Ooohhh!! FS: Yeah! B: Yeah! I am so thankful for this passage. As someone who suffers from depression, it’s so beautiful and amazing to see the word depressed in scripture. And to see someone, that sort of saying, “My whole being is depressed. Why are you so depressed?” I relate to this. FS: Yeah! B: Yeah! This is real! The Bible is real! FS: And I also think about the fact that this is probably a worship song. Especially with that refrain that echoes over and over again. What would it have meant to me as a depressed teenager, in particular, to have gotten to sing a song like this on Sunday mornings instead of the if-you’re-not-happy-your-faith-must-not-that-strong-enough worship songs of my youth. B: Like you’re so great. Everything is great. I’m great. You’re amazing. Everything is wonderful. This is so great! FS: Yeah! And if it isn’t, Jesus is gonna fix it in a second — so be happy! B: Yeah, absolutely! And I think this pairs well with the passage that we were talking about last week — suffering. Last week we were talking about suffering under empire, and there’s some sort of suffering under — it might be some sort of chemical depression, s

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