Psalms 42
1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
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.
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.
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.
7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
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.
9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
11 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.
Common Questions About Psalms 42
What longing opens Psalm 42?
The psalmist compares his soul's longing for God to a deer panting for streams of water, thirsting for the living God amid deep discouragement.
What refrain repeats through the psalm?
The psalmist repeatedly asks his soul why it is downcast, then commands it to hope in God, whom he will yet praise, modeling self-directed encouragement in depression.
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Questions to Think About
- How would you describe your own current thirst or longing for God's presence?
- Have you ever had to consciously 'preach to yourself' the way this psalmist does with his own soul?
Ask the Bible Chat Bot below if you'd like to talk through any of these.
