Psalm 42: Talking to Yourself

The writer is far from the temple, remembering when he used to lead the procession. Now his tears are his food and people ask him where his God is.

Twice he stops and addresses himself: why are you cast down, my soul? Hope in God.

He is not describing a feeling. He is interrupting one.

Most of us listen to ourselves when we should be speaking to ourselves. This psalm does the second, out loud, without pretending the first has stopped.