Psalm 42:3-4 NASB

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 42:3

My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? (comp. Psalms 80:9 , "Thou feedest them with the bread of tears ;" and Ovid, 'Metaph.,' 10:288, "Cure dolorque animi, lachrymaeque, alimenta fuere"—"They who grieve deeply do not eat; they only weep;" yet they live on, so that their tears appear to be their aliment). David's grief at being shut out from God's presence is intensified by the reproaches of his enemies, "Where is thy God?" ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 42:4

When I remember these things ; rather, these things I remember — the things remembered being those touched on in the rest of the verse—his former free access to the house of God, and habit of frequenting it, especially on festival occasions, when the multitude "kept holy day." "Deep sorrow," as Hengstenberg remarks, "tries to lose itself in the recollection of the happier past." I pour out my soul in me. "The heart pours itself out , or melts in any one, who is in a manner... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 42:3

My tears have been my meat - The word rendered tears in this place is in the singular number, and means literally weeping. Compare Psalms 39:12. The word meat here means literally bread, and is used in the general signification of food, as the word meat is always used in the English version of the Bible. The English word meat, which originally signified food, has been changed gradually in its signification, until it now denotes in common usage animal food, or flesh. The idea here is, that... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 42:4

When I remember these things - These sorrows; this banishment from the house of God; these reproaches of my enemies. The verb used here is in the future tense, and would be appropriately rendered “I will remember these things, and I will pour out my soul within me.” That is, it is not a mere recollection of the past, but it indicates a state or purpose of mind - a solemn resolution to bear these things ever in remembrance, and to allow them to produce a proper impression on his mind and heart... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 42:3-4

Psalms 42:3-4. My tears have been my meat, &c. That is, I am wholly given over to grief and sorrow while I hear the continual reproaches of my enemies, saying unto me, Where is thy God? Of whom thou hast so often boasted, as of one so able and ready to help all that trust in him, and call upon him? and particularly as one engaged to thee by many great and special promises? He is departed from thee, and nowhere to be found of thee. He is either unable or unwilling to help thee, or... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 42:1-11

Psalms 42-43 Longing for God’s templeIn many ancient manuscripts Psalms 42:0 and 43 form one psalm. Together they express the sorrow of a devout worshipper, possibly a temple singer, who lived in the far north of Israel (see 42:6) and could no longer go to worship at the temple in Jerusalem. This may have been because the kingdom was now divided, and the northern king would not allow his people to travel into the southern territory, where Jerusalem was situated. The king rejected the religion... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 42:3

continually = all the day. read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 42:4

had gone = shall go. went = shall go. holy day = feast day. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 42:3

Psalms 42:3. My tears have been my meat day and night— i.e. "I am wholly given over to grief and sorrow, whilst I hear the continual reproaches of mine enemies, saying unto me, What is become of thy God, in whom thou wast wont to repose so much confidence?" See Archbishop Sharp's Sermons, vol. 3: p. 2, &c. read more