←Psalm 42→BSB

In This Chapter 6 places 17 terms 1 theme 3 resources

Places

    Key Terms

    Salvation 5 To Acknowledge 4 Kindness (Solidarity) 3 Praise 2 Save (Help) Salvation (State) Save (Restore) Salvation (Physical) Salvation (Deliverance) Salvation (Rescuer) Save (Rescue) Salvation (Means) Saving (Means) Be Kind Kindness (Benevolence) Kindness (Graciousness) Kindness (Affection)

    Themes

    Questions and Doubt

    Resources

    Psalms Book Overview Korahite, Korathite Articles Music Articles

    BOOK II

    Psalms 42—72

    As the Deer Pants for the Water

    For the choirmaster. A Maskil of the sons of Korah.

    ⓘ These psalms, like Pss 9 and 10, form...

    These psalms, like Pss 9 and 10, form a unit comprising a lament with a bittersweet refrain of hope (42:5, 11; 43:5). In many Hebrew manuscripts these two psalms are combined as one. The historical context is uncertain; these psalms might be the voice of God’s people in exile, confessing their loyalty to God as he punishes them for their prevailing apostasy. The psalmist longs for fellowship with God such as he enjoyed in Jerusalem (42:4); his memories only make him more discouraged. As the psalmist cries out to God, he recalls God’s love and faithfulness (42:8), which moves him to plead for vindication (43:1–4).
    ⓘ The psalmist’s longing for God comes from being...
    • The psalmist’s longing for God comes from being geographically distant from the Temple as he remembers the past.
    • The verb translated longs is found only here and in Joel 1:20 (“cry out”); in both cases it refers to extreme thirst in a waterless desert (see Pss 63:1; 143:6; see also 84:2).
    1As the deer pants for streams of water,so my soul longs after You, O God.2My soul thirsts for God, the living God.When shall I come and appear in God’s presence?†3My tears have been my foodboth day and night,while men ask me all day long,“Where is your God?”4These things come to mind as I pour out my soul:how I walked with the multitude,leading the festive procession to the house of Godwith shouts of joy and praise.
    ⓘ The psalmist encourages himself with questions and answers.

    The psalmist encourages himself with questions and answers.
    5Why are you downcast, O my soul?Why the unease within me?Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Himfor the salvation of His presence.
    6O my God, my soul despairs within me.Therefore I remember Youfrom the land of Jordan and the peaks of Hermon—even from Mount Mizar.7Deep calls to deepin the roar of Your waterfalls;all Your breakers and waveshave rolled over me.8The LORD decrees His loving devotion by day,and at night His song is with meas a prayer to the God of my life.
    ⓘ The psalmist brings his many doubts, discouragements, and...

    The psalmist brings his many doubts, discouragements, and questions directly to God.
    9I say to God my Rock,“Why have You forgotten me?Why must I walk in sorrowbecause of the enemy’s oppression?”10Like the crushing of my bones,my enemies taunt me,while they say to me all day long,“Where is your God?”
    11Why are you downcast, O my soul?Why the unease within me?Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him,my Savior and my God.