Psalm 42

Psalm 42 expresses the Psalmist's deep longing for God's presence and his struggle with feelings of despair and alienation. The Psalmist recalls past times when he worshiped God with others and cries out to God for help and deliverance from his enemies.

image of Psalm 42

11
verses
1
min

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Longing for God's Presence

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.

Commentary

Psalm 42 is a powerful expression of the human experience of longing for God's presence. The Psalmist's words resonate with those who have also felt a sense of spiritual dryness or separation from God. The Psalmist's honesty about his feelings of sadness and loneliness is a reminder that it is okay for believers to share their struggles and doubts with God. Despite the Psalmist's feelings of despair, he never doubts God's goodness or mercy. Instead, he declares his faith in God's steadfast love and trusts that God will provide comfort and guidance. This Psalm is a beautiful example of how to find hope in the midst of difficulty by turning to God in prayer and worship.

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FAQ

Assuming a reader with an average reading speed of 300 WPM reads the Psalm, chapter 42 it would take approximately 1 minutes to finish.

There are 11 verses in Psalm, chapter 42.