Psalms 42
Psalm 42 is said to have been written by the sons of Korah of Israel, and it is well known for its theme, 'the soul that longs for God'. The psalm expresses spiritual thirst and sorrow that arise when the poet’s close fellowship with God is cut off, along with a renewed longing for God. The text can be divided into two main parts (verses 1-5, 6-11), and it is characterized by the repeated confession, "My soul, why are you downcast?"
1verseFor the Chief Musician. A contemplation by the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God.
2verseMy soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
3verseMy tears have been my food day and night, while they continually ask me, “Where is your God?”
4verseThese things I remember, and pour out my soul within me, how I used to go with the crowd, and led them to God’s house, with the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping a holy day.
5verseWhy are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him for the saving help of his presence.
6verseMy God, my soul is in despair within me. Therefore I remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon, from the hill Mizar.
7verseDeep calls to deep at the noise of your waterfalls. All your waves and your billows have swept over me.
8verseThe LORD will command his loving kindness in the daytime. In the night his song shall be with me: a prayer to the God of my life.
9verseI will ask God, my rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10verseAs with a sword in my bones, my adversaries reproach me, while they continually ask me, “Where is your God?”
11verseWhy are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him, the saving help of my countenance, and my God.
The Flow of the Content and the Main Message
- Verses 1-4: The psalmist seeks God "as the deer pants for streams of water." In this image, the longing and hope for God’s presence are emphasized. Memories of having once gone into the temple to worship God make the poet’s heart yearn even more.
- Verses 5-7: In his discouragement, the psalmist encourages himself and looks for God’s help. He describes his troubles using a metaphor of suffering as if the sea and waves were crashing over him.
- Verses 8-11: During the day, God shows steadfast love, and at night, there is song. Still, the psalmist suffers from the mockery of those around him and the feeling that God is far away. Even at the end, he encourages himself and does not lose hope.
Points to Ponder
- When spiritual longing comes upon us with urgency, how are we responding to God?
- Can we learn from the psalmist’s attitude of holding on to hope even amid worry and discouragement?
- What challenge does our posture of being honest about our present suffering and emotions—and yet placing our hope again in God—offer us?
Try Applying It to Yourself
- When God’s presence feels distant, what am I placing my hope in?
- In the end, the psalmist encourages himself and looks to God. Could I remember the experiences I’ve had of drawing near to God through the Word, prayer, and praise in the face of my discouragement?
- If there is thirst in my heart today, let’s pray that this thirst may become an opportunity to move rightly toward God.
