Where in the World is Mizar?!
Reflective Reading: Psalm 42-43
Good morning!
Recently I have been studying Psalms 42-43 and found that there is something unmistakably beautiful about the psalmist’s genuine, soulful cry to God. As I began to dig deeper, I discovered something interesting in verses 5-6:
O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
Here we read about three geographical locations: the land of Jordan, Mount Hermon, and Mizar. It’s interesting to note that the geographical location of Mizar has never been discovered. A mystery! Upon further study, I learned that the literal Hebrew word for Mizar is small. So, most likely, the psalmist is referring to Mizar as a small or obscure hill in Israel. Thus, the psalmist is saying he will remember the Lord from the highest mountain, Mount Hermon, to the fertile and fruitful Jordan Valley, to the smallest, lowest hill of Mizar. Before we dive into the wonderful significance of this topography, I’d like to take you back in time to understand the context in which this psalm was written.
David, whom I believe to be the author, most likely penned these words while fleeing from his son Absalom. His soul was being tormented. And there was only one thing that could bring him out of his state of utter depression—God’s countenance, or better, the presence of God.
In Psalm 42:5 we read:
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of His countenance.
In the Hebrew, the phrase His countenance is literally the face of God. David is telling us that whether we are on the highest, snowcapped, desolate mountain or the smallest, most obscure, forgotten place, the presence of God is our health and deliverance.
See the word for help in verse 5? It is the same word for Joshua, Jesus, salvation, and deliverance. It can also mean very literally help or health.
Where does this lead us? No matter where we are in life, our help, health, and deliverance is dependent upon the presence of God, Jesus Himself. He is our deliverance!
I can think of no better truth to take with you today and throughout the week!
Sincerely,
Mark Hamby
M.S., M. Div., Th. M., D. Min.
