Bible Commentaries
Psalms 42

Verse 1

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

Panteth — After the enjoyment of thee in thy sanctuary.

Verse 2

My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

Thirsteth — Not after vain useless idols, but after the only true and living God.

Appear — In the place of his special presence and publick worship.

Verse 4

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.

Remember — My banishment from God’s presence, and mine enemies triumphs.

In me — I breathe out my sorrows and complaints to God within my own breast.

The multitudes — Israelites, who went thither in great numbers.

Holy-day — Or that kept the feast, the three solemn festival solemnities, which they kept holy unto the Lord.

Verse 5

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.

For — Heb. for the salvations of his face, for those supports, deliverances and comforts which I doubt not I shall enjoy both in his presence and sanctuary, and from his presence, and the light of his countenance.

Verse 6

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.

Therefore — Therefore that I may revive my drooping spirits.

Remember — I will consider thy infinite mercy and power, and faithfulness.

Mizar — From all the parts of the land, to which I shall be driven; whether from the parts beyond Jordan on the east: or mount Hermon, which was in the northern parts.

Verse 7

Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

Deep — One affliction comes immediately after another, as if it were called for by the former. A metaphor taken from violent and successive showers of rain; which frequently come down from heaven, as it were at the noise, or call of God’s water spouts.

Verse 8

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.

Command — Will effectually confer upon me.

Loving-kindness — His blessings, the effects of his loving-kindness.

Verse 10

As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?

As — As a sword, which cutteth the very bones, so painful are their reproaches.