42 1 The Prophet grievously complaineth, that being letted by his persecutors, he could not be present in the congregation of God’s people, protesting that although he was separated in body from them, yet his heart was thitherward affectioned. 7 And least of all he showed that he was not so far overcome with these sorrows and thoughts, 8 but that he continually put his confidence in the Lord.
To him that excelleth. A Psalm to give instruction, [a]committed to the sons of Korah.
1 As the Hart brayeth for the rivers of water, so [b]panted my soul after thee, O God.
2 My soul thirsteth for God, even for the living God: when shall I come and appear before the presence of God?
3 [c]Mine tears have been my meat day and night, while they daily say unto me, Where is thy God?
4 When I remembered [d]these things, I poured out my very heart, because I had gone with the multitude, and led them into the house of God with the voice of singing, and praise, as a multitude that keepeth a feast.
5 Why art thou cast down, my soul, and unquiet within me? [e]wait on God: for I will yet give him thanks for the help of his presence.
6 My God, my soul is cast down within me, [f]because I remembered thee, from the land of Jordan, and Hermon, and from the mount Mizar.
7 One [g]deep calleth another deep by the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy floods are gone over me.
8 The Lord [h]will grant his loving-kindness in the day, and in the night shall I sing of him, even a prayer unto the God of my life.
9 I will say unto God, which is my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning, when the enemy oppresseth me?
10 My [i]bones are cut asunder, while mine enemies reproach me, saying daily unto me, Where is thy God?
11 [j]Why art thou cast down, my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? wait on God: for I will yet give him thanks: he is my present help and my God.
Footnotes
- Psalm 42:1 As a treasure to be kept of them, which were of the number of the Levites.
- Psalm 42:1 By these similitudes of thirst and panting, he showeth his fervent desire to serve God in his Temple.
- Psalm 42:3 As others take pleasure in eating and drinking, so he was altogether given to weeping.
- Psalm 42:4 That is, how I led the people to serve thee in thy Tabernacle, and now seeing my contrary estate, I die for sorrow.
- Psalm 42:5 Though he sustained grievous assaults of the flesh to cast him into despair, yet his faith grounded on God’s accustomed mercies getteth the victory.
- Psalm 42:6 That is, when I remember thee in this land of my banishment among the mountains.
- Psalm 42:7 Afflictions came so thick upon me, that I felt my self as overwhelmed: whereby he showeth there is no end of our misery till God be pacified and send remedy.
- Psalm 42:8 He assureth himself of God’s help in time to come.
- Psalm 42:10 That is, I am most grievously tormented.
- Psalm 42:11 This repetition doth declare that David did not overcome at once, to teach us to be constant, forasmuch as God will certainly deliver his.