5/12 Psalm 42 and 43 - Hope Even When Pain Endures
Release Date: 05/12/2025
Key Chapters of the Bible
God is faithful to His people, even when they have been unfaithful to Him. We'll see this truth in today's study in Isaiah 50 as we study an amazing prophecy of Jesus which proves, not only that He is the promised king, but that He would also suffer for His people and won't divorce them even though they have been unfaithful to their covenant with Him. Join us today in our study in Isaiah 50! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. The overarching theme of Isaiah 49-57 is that of the “Suffering Servant”. Think back to our study, yesterday, in Isaiah 49. What were some ways...
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There's a ton of debate in theological circles about whether or not God has forsaken Israel. Today we're looking at Isaiah 49 where we'll see that God will continue to be faithful to the people of Israel and His covenant with them. Likewise, we'll see that even the Gentile believers will have a role in God's plan of redemption for His people. Join us in this key study in this key chapter! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. Have you ever felt as though you disappointed someone? How did it feel? How do you think the faithful remnant of Israel would have felt knowing that they...
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Getting "passed over" by the Lord is not a good thing, especially when we're talking God returning His people back to the Promised Land. Today we study Isaiah 48 and see how God warned His people about the coming judgment and confirmed His message through prophecy, but they still would not listen. Yet, He still has a plan for them that results in greater glory to Himself. Join us for another soul-nourishing study in the Book of Isaiah! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. The recipients of the message of Isaiah 48 shifts from prophetically addressing the exiles and returns to focus...
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One of the most common and most difficult questions people ask is, "Why?" They're wondering things like, "Why did some event happen?" While we won't fully understand all the answers to those questions until we're with the Lord, today's study in Isaiah 45 begins to show us some reasons for "Why?" Isaiah 45 is one of my favorite chapters on the Bible and I believe it will help us understand more of what the Lord is doing in our lives, and why. Join us! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. When you’re facing life’s difficulties, how frequently do you ask the question, “Why did...
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The book of Isaiah is filled with so many rich passages, and today's chapter is one of them. In this study in Isaiah 43, we'll see God's heart as He lays out His redemptive plan for His people, and we'll see how Jesus came as the prophesied redeemer! Today's podcast is a tad long, but filled with rich truths we need to know! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. Take a moment to skim Isaiah 42 and the introduction of the New Covenant. What is the overall tone of Isaiah 42? How does verse 1 (of Isaiah 43) demonstrate a shift in this tone? Why do you think the Lord speaks this way to His people...
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The New Covenant is one of the most important topics we can understand about the plan of God among people. Yet even though it's the covenant we're in right now with God, many Christians don't understand it. Today, in our study of Isaiah 42, we're going to look at one of the earliest references to the New Covenant found in the Old Testament. Join us for the key study in this key chapter! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. Isaiah 42 continues to build on the idea that a New Kingdom is coming. In verse 1, we find out that the leader of this kingdom is also a servant. Who is He a servant of? What...
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When we sin, does God abandon us? No! And today in our study of Isaiah 40, we see a clear example of this principle as God comforts His people even while they are in exile under His judgment. Isaiah 40 is a well-known chapter that will be even more cherished as we examine the comfort of the Lord. DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. The podcast mentioned that Isaiah 40 represents a major shift in the tone and theme of the book of Isaiah. What is that shift and why do you think it occurs here? 2. According to the podcast, what are the overall circumstances...
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As we continue working through the book of Isaiah, today we look at Isaiah 29 which addressed the hard-hearted, prideful worship of the Southern Kingdom. We'll talk about what it looks like and ways to deal with our own tendency to trend towards false worship in our own life. Join us! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. According to the podcast, what does the name “Ariel” in verse 1 signify? Who is the Lord addressing with this term? Why? 2. In verse 2, the Lord says that He will bring distress upon “Ariel”. What does this distress look like in verse 3? What...
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Isaiah 28 is one of those passages that we might not know well, yet speaks directly to our day (and the coming Day of the Lord). Join us as we study Isaiah 28 and learn about how tongues (and languages) tie into God's message of His kingdom. Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: . Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links: Spotify: Itunes: YouTube: . As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to...
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One of the deepest longings for God's people is for us to be with Him. Today as we look at Isaiah 25, we'll focus on that day when we'll finally be with the Lord without the curse and how we're truly be able to enjoy eternal fellowship with Him! Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: . Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links: Spotify: Itunes: YouTube: . As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to...
info_outlineIs it possible to find hope in suffering? What if we're in a situation that is not likely to change, how do we find hope then? Join us as we study Psalm 42 and learn about how to walk with God in the midst of ongoing suffering.
DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS:
1. Psalms 42 & 43 are about finding hope in the Lord, even when our difficult circumstances aren’t getting better. Have you ever been in a situation where things don’t seem to improve? What did that do to your hope and trust in the Lord? Why do you think it has that kind of an impact?
2. Why do you think the author, in verse 1, starts out comparing his seeking God like a deer seeking water? What might he be saying about his own pursuit of the Lord? Have you ever sought the Lord with this kind of passion?
3. According to verse 2, how is his search going?
4. Although we don’t know the circumstances surrounding this psalm, if the psalmist is writing from exile (as suggested by the podcast) who are these people who are mocking him in verse 3? Why would they be mocking him?
5. If the author is writing from exile, and if he is not a young man, will his situation likely improve? Why or why not? How would that have been a difficult reality for him to work through?
6. Who (or what) is the author addressing in verse 5? What point is he making? How does this show us that we don’t have to listen to our emotions or let them lead us?
7. Verse 7 is giving us a deep, meaningful message that hopefully resonates within all of us. What do you think he’s communicating to us about difficult situations?
8. Verse 8 is filled with hope and trust. How does the psalmist describe his relationship with the Lord? Why would the psalmist still have this kind of a relationship with God, even if God wasn’t doing what he (the author) wanted? Is your trust in the Lord this steadfast? Why or why not?
9. Yet, verses 9 & 10 show that the author was having difficulty making sense of his situation. What kinds of difficulties might he have been facing?
10. Despite these difficulties, what does the author tell his soul in verse 11? Why is this difficult for us to do? What have you learned about how to have victory in these spiritual disciplines?
11. In Psalm 43:1, what is the author calling out for?
12. How is Psalm 43:2 similar to what we have just read in Psalm 42?
13. What is the psalmist asking for in verse 3? Why is he asking for them?
14. In verse 4, where is the psalmist seeking to go? What will he do if the Lord leads him there?
15. Verse 5 repeats similar wording that we saw back in Psalm 42:5 & 11. Why are these principles so vital to trusting God, even when our situation may not improve?
Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon!
To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org.
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Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.