Psalms 42 KJV: A Deep Longing for the Living God

Psalms 42 articulates the visceral thirst for God's presence experienced by those in spiritual exile. It documents the internal dialogue of a believer who must preach the truth to their own downcast soul amidst the taunts of enemies and the silence of heaven.

  1. v1-5: The Panting Soul and the Downcast Heart
  2. v6-11: Deep Calling Unto Deep

Psalms chapter 42

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 day time, 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.

Observe the psychological shift from despair to hope as the psalmist commands his soul to wait for the light of God's countenance. Begin your study with psalms 42 summary.

The 'deep calling unto deep' refers to the overwhelming cataracts of the Jordan, symbolizing how one wave of trouble is met by an even deeper wave of God's sovereign presence. The 'Word Secret' is Ay-yal, the hart or deer, illustrating a life-or-death necessity for water, not just a casual desire. Discover the riches with psalms 42 commentary, containing expert led word study (original greek/hebrew) and passage level analysis.

Unlock the hidden psalms 42 1 meaning and summary by exploring context, analyzing original greek and hebrew words, and studying cross references of each verse.

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2 min read (281 words)