The first part of Psalm 42:7 incorporates prayer right into the midst of what the writer meant as a more contemplative song for the Sons of Korah to sing in the Temple. The words, however, seem a bit mysterious, and in reading them I’ve often wondered what the back story might be. Here is the phrase:
“Oh God, deep calls unto deep….”
I recently ran across a commentary on that one phrase of Psalm 42 written by Bernard of Clairvaux, a 12th century monk known as the “honey-tongued doctor” for his eloquent writings primarily on the topic of the love of God.
However, the man was prolifically reflective, and is still widely quoted by Protestants and Catholics alike for his pithy statements. One familiar such quote we’ve undoubtedly heard our mother’s tell us from time to time, not realizing just how far back this statement goes:
“The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”
I know I used it a time or two with my kids…
Another meaningful quote I’ve heard often is this:
Awww…but the commentary Clairvaux wrote explaining deep calling unto deep resonated with me this morning. Of it he expounds:
Oh God, deep calls unto deep….
…The deep of my profound
misery
calling out to
the deep of
Your infinite mercy…
Fitting for this season in our country, is it not?
We’re all feeling the effects of the distress upon our land…
We’re feeling them in our hearts…
I’ve never used this emoji more than over the last two week:
Seeds of Misery are being sown deep within all our souls…and, for many, crops of anger, bitterness, pain, and violence grew furiously and quickly over a short period of time.
Those who know not the God of Love take the depth of their misery to the streets.
They loot.
They riot.
They set homes on fire, then block the firefighters from entering, and innocent children die.
They burn churches, police stations, news outlet stations, businesses, cars and vans.
They deface national monuments.
They kill retired police officers (77-years young) still defending the innocent and hoping to prevent businesses from being burned to the ground.
What they do is wrong, but they seem to find no other way to cry out the misery deep inside.
The depth of misery needs expression.
And, so we see the signs that read, “Riots are the voice of the unheard (MLK).”
Mr. King said many things; but, this statement was not his message.
It was not his way.
He merely tried to explain what Clairvaux was saying…
Misery needs an outlet.
And, as Clairvaux assures, there is only ONE OUTLET, “deep misery crying out to the deep of an infinitely Merciful God.”
A God who can handle the pain and brokenness…and heal it!
…who can handle the years of injustice….and bring justice!
…who knows what it feels like to be innocently slaughtered…and still forgive!
…who hurts with the same kind of hurt we feel…and carries the crushed in spirit.
Because He is a God of Mercy, He gets it.
We all want change.
There is only one way we can get everlasting change…
In surrender to a God of Mercy.
A God who loves deeply.
A God who shows compassion.
When our hearts of misery meet with His depth of mercy, we will all be changed…
We will be “being transformed” into the image of a God who celebrates the diversity of humanity…and we will extend the same love and mercy to all.
