(1) As the hart panteth.—“I have seen large flocks of these panting harts gather round the water-brooks in the great deserts of central Syria, so subdued by thirst that you could approach quite near them before they fled” (Thomson, Land and Book, p. 172). read more
The Thirst for the Living God Psalms 42:2 There is scarcely a phase of philosophy about us, or a really profound experience which we observe, which does not illustrate the increasing thirst of the human soul for the living God. I. Take, in the first place, the philosophy of the time, and consider the outcome of those forms of philosophy which, to the religious mind, are most unpromising and repelling. For the last twenty years philosophical unbelief has been taking shape among English-speaking... read more
Psalms 42:1-11, Psalms 43:1-5THE second book of the Psalter is characterised by the use of the Divine name "Elohim" instead of "Jehovah." It begins with a cluster of seven psalms (reckoning Psalms 42:1-11; Psalms 43:1-5, as one) of which the superscription is most probably regarded as ascribing their authorship to "the sons of Korach." These were Levites, and (according to 1 Chronicles 9:19 seq.) the office of keepers of the door of the sanctuary had been hereditary in their family from the... read more
II. THE EXODUS SECTION: BOOK TWO:PSALM 42-72 The second division of the book of Psalms corresponds to the book of Exodus, the second book of the Pentateuch. That book begins with the groans and moans of a suffering people in Egypt and after redemption by blood and by power, ends with the glory of the Lord filling the tabernacle when the work was finished. Ruin, oppression, suffering and sorrow, ending in deliverance and redemption, is the order in which the Psalms in this section are arranged.... read more
42:1 [To the chief Musician, Maschil, {a} for the sons of Korah.] As the hart {b} panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.(a) As a treasure to be kept by them, who were of the number of the Levites.(b) By these comparisons of the thirst and panting, he shows his fervent desire to serve God in his temple. read more
Psalms 38:0 An appeal to God from chastisement because of iniquity (Psalms 38:1-4 ). The mental anguish is described in figures of physical disease, and yet it is not impossible that such disease may have been part of the chastisement (Psalms 38:5-8 ). The desertion of friends and the opposition of enemies also entered into it (Psalms 38:10-17 ). There are verses susceptible of an application to Christ, but others would prevent its application as a whole to him. Psalms 40:0 Messianic (compare... read more
Thirsting for God Psa 42:1 Why does the hart pant after the water brooks? Why does not the hart go quietly and take its draught of limpid water? Why this panting, why this heart-beating, why this pulsing all over? See how the poor beast pants, quakes in distress! The little birds go and take their sip of dew with decent quietude; they make no stir or tumult Why then should the hart pant? for the term is energetic, indicative of an excited state of blood. We need some other word here to... read more
CONTENTS In this Psalm we have the devout breathings of the soul towards God, opposed by unbelief and distrust. To the chief Musician. Maschil for the sons of Korah. read more
The Psalm opens with the view of a soul panting after enjoyment and communion with God in Christ. And the most lively images are made use of to denote the insatiable thirst, and vehement desires of a soul so earnest after God. The hart is beautifully chosen to represent this soul, which, after being chased, by the pursuits of Satan and the world, looks to Jesus alone for those living streams which make glad the city of God. Reader, while we read these words, it would be well to inquire whether... read more
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John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 42:1-20
Book 2The second and third Books of the Psalter (Psalms 42-72, 73-89) are but the two parts of a whole, the largest section of which (Psalms 42-83) is called the Elohistic Psalter, because the name Elohim (God) is used almost exclusively instead of the name Jehovah (the Lord), which is predominant in the rest of the Psalms. It is evident from the contents of these two books that the Elohistic compiler gathered them from at least three earlier collections, for Psalms 42-49 are Psalms of the... read more