As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
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.
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.
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.
Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
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.
I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
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.
Psalms 42 marks the beginning of the second section (or "book") of the Psalms, spanning from Psalms 42 to 72. Classified as a maskil, likely indicating a specific musical arrangement or a contemplative teaching song (similar to Psalms 32, 52, and 89), this psalm is attributed to the "Sons of Korah." Though the lineage of Korah suffered judgment after the exodus (Numbers 26:9–11), their descendants apparently rose to prominence as worship leaders during the reigns of David and Solomon. Whether they penned the psalms associated with their name or these psalms were composed for them to perform remains uncertain. Regardless, Psalm 42 poignantly captures the universal human experience of longing for God amidst adversity.
A Deep Thirst for God (42:1-3)
The psalm opens with an intense expression of yearning for God: "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God" (Psalms 42:1). This vivid imagery depicts a deer desperately seeking water, its very life depending on finding refreshment. Similarly, the psalmist's soul thirsts for God, recognizing that communion with Him is essential for spiritual survival. This isn't merely a casual desire; it's an urgent, vital need. He longs to be in God’s presence, likely desiring to worship in the sanctuary in Jerusalem, and being kept from that worship deepens his pain.
The psalmist’s thirst goes unquenched, leaving him feeling distant from God. His tears become his sustenance as his adversaries mockingly question, "Where is your God?" (Psalms 42:3). He suffers on multiple levels – spiritually, physically, and emotionally.
Remembering and Reassuring (42:4-5)
Even faithful believers grapple with despair. In such moments, drawing upon past experiences with God becomes crucial. The psalmist remembers joyful times when he joined the festive processions to Jerusalem for annual festivals, filled with singing and shouts of praise (Psalms 42:4). Recalling these moments of intimate connection with God provides a lifeline in the present darkness.
Furthermore, the psalmist engages in self-counsel, questioning his dejection and inner turmoil: "Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?" (Psalms 42:5). He then urges himself, despite the darkness, to "put your hope in God." This act of remembering God's past faithfulness and actively choosing to hope is a powerful antidote to despair. When God seems distant, remembering what we know to be true about Him – His faithfulness, His love, His promises – anchors us in truth. To hope is to expectantly wait for God to act. Just because you can’t see God working doesn’t mean he’s inactive. Sometimes, like Abraham, you must hope against hope, trusting that God will do what he has promised (see Romans 4:17-21).
Overwhelmed Yet Hopeful (42:6-8)
The psalmist then returns to expressing his distress: "My soul is downcast within me" (Psalms 42:6). He feels overwhelmed, as if engulfed by the relentless pounding of waves or the roar of a waterfall (Psalms 42:7). His life feels like a seesaw, fluctuating between joy and sorrow, hope and despair, confidence and collapse. He pictures himself being rocked by an enormous wave, only to be overrun by another as soon as it passes.
Yet, even in this state of turmoil, he clings to God's faithful love: "By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life" (Psalms 42:8). He seeks God’s presence, not necessarily to remove the storms of life, but to remind him that he is not alone.
Feeling Forgotten, Trusting Still (42:9-11)
The psalmist cries out, "Why have you forgotten me?" (Psalms 42:9). While God hadn't truly forgotten him, the feeling of abandonment is real and painful. It’s a sentiment many can relate to in their own struggles.
Importantly, the apostle Paul reminds us that “all things work together for the good of those who love God” (Romans 8:28). Notice he doesn’t say that all things are good, but that all things work together for good. Think of the way God puts the pieces of our situations together for a good end in terms of an automobile assembly plant where the various parts of the car are scattered about. Before the Lord is done taking us through his assembly line, what would seem to be only a confusing mass of pieces is brought together as a finished product. Right now, the pieces of your life may seem unrelated and purposeless. But, God is up to something: he’s conforming you “to the image of his Son” (see Romans 8:29).
Despite the taunts of his adversaries (Psalms 42:10), the psalmist returns to his earlier refrain, repeating the words he desperately needs to hear: "Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God" (Psalms 42:11). Even in the darkest of times, we must continue to hope in God. When He doesn’t immediately change our circumstances, we must keep pursuing Him. He is faithful. “Weeping may stay overnight, but there is joy in the morning” (Psalms 30:5).
Psalm 42 offers profound comfort and encouragement. It acknowledges the reality of suffering and the emotional struggles that even the most faithful experience. It reminds us to cultivate a history with God, to remember His past faithfulness, and to actively choose hope, trusting that He is present and working, even when we cannot see Him.
As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
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.
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.
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.
Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
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.
I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
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.
Psalms 42 marks the beginning of the second section (or "book") of the Psalms, spanning from Psalms 42 to 72. Classified as a maskil, likely indicating a specific musical arrangement or a contemplative teaching song (similar to Psalms 32, 52, and 89), this psalm is attributed to the "Sons of Korah." Though the lineage of Korah suffered judgment after the exodus (Numbers 26:9–11), their descendants apparently rose to prominence as worship leaders during the reigns of David and Solomon. Whether they penned the psalms associated with their name or these psalms were composed for them to perform remains uncertain. Regardless, Psalm 42 poignantly captures the universal human experience of longing for God amidst adversity.
A Deep Thirst for God (42:1-3)
The psalm opens with an intense expression of yearning for God: "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God" (Psalms 42:1). This vivid imagery depicts a deer desperately seeking water, its very life depending on finding refreshment. Similarly, the psalmist's soul thirsts for God, recognizing that communion with Him is essential for spiritual survival. This isn't merely a casual desire; it's an urgent, vital need. He longs to be in God’s presence, likely desiring to worship in the sanctuary in Jerusalem, and being kept from that worship deepens his pain.
The psalmist’s thirst goes unquenched, leaving him feeling distant from God. His tears become his sustenance as his adversaries mockingly question, "Where is your God?" (Psalms 42:3). He suffers on multiple levels – spiritually, physically, and emotionally.
Remembering and Reassuring (42:4-5)
Even faithful believers grapple with despair. In such moments, drawing upon past experiences with God becomes crucial. The psalmist remembers joyful times when he joined the festive processions to Jerusalem for annual festivals, filled with singing and shouts of praise (Psalms 42:4). Recalling these moments of intimate connection with God provides a lifeline in the present darkness.
Furthermore, the psalmist engages in self-counsel, questioning his dejection and inner turmoil: "Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?" (Psalms 42:5). He then urges himself, despite the darkness, to "put your hope in God." This act of remembering God's past faithfulness and actively choosing to hope is a powerful antidote to despair. When God seems distant, remembering what we know to be true about Him – His faithfulness, His love, His promises – anchors us in truth. To hope is to expectantly wait for God to act. Just because you can’t see God working doesn’t mean he’s inactive. Sometimes, like Abraham, you must hope against hope, trusting that God will do what he has promised (see Romans 4:17-21).
Overwhelmed Yet Hopeful (42:6-8)
The psalmist then returns to expressing his distress: "My soul is downcast within me" (Psalms 42:6). He feels overwhelmed, as if engulfed by the relentless pounding of waves or the roar of a waterfall (Psalms 42:7). His life feels like a seesaw, fluctuating between joy and sorrow, hope and despair, confidence and collapse. He pictures himself being rocked by an enormous wave, only to be overrun by another as soon as it passes.
Yet, even in this state of turmoil, he clings to God's faithful love: "By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life" (Psalms 42:8). He seeks God’s presence, not necessarily to remove the storms of life, but to remind him that he is not alone.
Feeling Forgotten, Trusting Still (42:9-11)
The psalmist cries out, "Why have you forgotten me?" (Psalms 42:9). While God hadn't truly forgotten him, the feeling of abandonment is real and painful. It’s a sentiment many can relate to in their own struggles.
Importantly, the apostle Paul reminds us that “all things work together for the good of those who love God” (Romans 8:28). Notice he doesn’t say that all things are good, but that all things work together for good. Think of the way God puts the pieces of our situations together for a good end in terms of an automobile assembly plant where the various parts of the car are scattered about. Before the Lord is done taking us through his assembly line, what would seem to be only a confusing mass of pieces is brought together as a finished product. Right now, the pieces of your life may seem unrelated and purposeless. But, God is up to something: he’s conforming you “to the image of his Son” (see Romans 8:29).
Despite the taunts of his adversaries (Psalms 42:10), the psalmist returns to his earlier refrain, repeating the words he desperately needs to hear: "Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God" (Psalms 42:11). Even in the darkest of times, we must continue to hope in God. When He doesn’t immediately change our circumstances, we must keep pursuing Him. He is faithful. “Weeping may stay overnight, but there is joy in the morning” (Psalms 30:5).
Psalm 42 offers profound comfort and encouragement. It acknowledges the reality of suffering and the emotional struggles that even the most faithful experience. It reminds us to cultivate a history with God, to remember His past faithfulness, and to actively choose hope, trusting that He is present and working, even when we cannot see Him.