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Psalms Chapter 42

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¹ (To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.) As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

² My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

³ My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?

⁴ When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

⁵ 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.

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.

⁷ Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

⁸ Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

⁹ I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

¹⁰ As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?

¹¹ Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

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Richard H Priday's Psalms Chapter 42 comment on 11/07/2022, 6:48pm...

Psalm 42. PART TWO of the 5 sections of Psalms

I am not sure how the divisions of the Psalms relate to the Pentateuch but I heard they were in five sections. At any rate; this begins the first one that is NOT written by David. The sons of Korah were descendants of those destroyed in the rebellion by God therefore were grateful to have a place (see 1 Chronicles 9:19 for their place as doorkeepers in the House of God).

The first two verses echo the popular song "As the deer panteth for the water". The rest of the Psalm seems to contain a desire to appear before God (v. 3); and considering Him in a dispersed situation (v. 6). It seems like a diaspora; although the details are missing. The Psalmist (or multiple "sons" of Korah) seem to be taunted by the enemies as to where God is in verse 3 and 10. The author(s) of the Psalm also ask themselves and cry out to God the same plea in verses 5 and 9.

The last verse of the Psalm shows how praising God raises the condition of the soul from all sorts of despair. This is good to remember whether it is in suffering the perishing of the old body in 2 Cor. 4:16; facing martyrdom (Philippians 1:21); or just the stresses of everyday life. Thankfully; as God states emphatically in Ezekiel 18:20. The sons are not to bear the guilt for their father's sins. This also; of course shows us that just because our parents may be a Pastor that we are not specially privileged in any way. Matthew 23:15 gives that principle to the Pharisees; whose physical descendancy from Abraham didn't give them any spiritual value without true faith. Praise the Lord for His grace toward the sons of Korah who didn't rebel.

Chris's Psalms Chapter 42 comment on 6/27/2022, 10:00pm...

Psalms 42 & 43 are generally believed to be written by the same author & the one follows the other. We can understand that the Psalmist was in exile, or held captive, in the far North of Palestine (Psalm 42:6), & being in that sad state, he yearns to return to the temple in Jerusalem (vv 1-5), reveals the depths of his distress (vv 6-11), & prays to God that he might return (Psalm 43:1-5).

Even though that specific situation of the Psalmist wouldn't apply to us, I see the verse common in both Psalms (v11 & v 5), "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God", as being relevant.

So, the lesson to be learned from these Psalms would be: as much as we all face trials & tribulations of various sorts in this life, some even causing us to become "disquieted" (or, mentally, emotionally, & spiritually troubled), we should not allow these trials to overcome us, thus bringing us to grief & making us useless to all including ourselves. Rather, as the Psalmist tried to pick himself up, turning away from his hopelessness of his circumstances & instead made a wilful decision to turn to God, Who alone was able to save him. When our eyes are turned away from our miserable lot & turned to the One Who is able to deliver & keep, then our hearts can be filled with praise & thankfulness, & we can echo Psalm 118:23, "This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." When we see & acknowledge that God alone can deliver us, our perspective on life will be different & we would see the testing of our faith working out in patience, longsuffering, hope, trust & joy in our lives. And as believers bought with Christ's precious Blood, we have so much to rejoice in & trust in the power of His Holy Name. We should never get despondent, but if it comes upon us, we know that we have an intimate relationship with the Lord Who will never leave us & will carry us through it.

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