Psalm 42

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 42:8

Yet the Lord will command his loving-kindness in the daytime. Notwithstanding all these present woes, God wilt at some time "command" his loving-kindness to make itself apparent (comp. Psalms 44:4 ; Psalms 68:28 ), and both "in the daytime" and in the night will so comfort me that his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life ; i.e. I shall offer him both praise and prayer continually both day and night ( Psalms 92:2 ) for his great mercies. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 42:9

I will say unto God my Rock (comp. Psalms 18:1 ; Psalms 31:3 ). Why hast thou forgotten me? (see the comment on Psalms 13:1 ). God does not forget even when he most seems to forget (comp. Psalms 9:12 ; Psalms 37:28 ). As the event showed, he had not now forgotten David (see 2 Samuel 19:9-40 ). Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? Why am. I allowed to remain so long an exile, sorrowing and oppressed (comp. Psalms 43:2 )? Even to repentant sinners... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 42:10

As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me. The reproaches of his enemies were as daggers struck into his bones; or, according to others, as blows that crushed his bones ( LXX .). So keenly did he feel them. The worst of all was that they could say daily unto him, Where is thy God? What has become of him? Has he wholly forsaken thee (see above, Psalms 42:3 )? read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 42:11

Why art thou cast down (or, bowed down ), O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me! hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him. Thus far is identical with Psalms 42:5 ; but what follows is slightly different: who is the health of my countenance, and my God, instead of "for the help (health?) of his countenance. " Most commentators assimilate the text in Psalms 42:5 to that of the present verse, which can be effected by a mere alteration of the pointing; but... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 42

The title of this psalm is, “To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.” On the phrase “To the chief Musician,” see the notes at the title to Psalms 4:1-8. On the term “Maschil,” see the notes at the title to Psalms 32:1-11. This title is prefixed to eleven psalms. It properly means, as in the margin, giving instruction. But why such a title was prefixed to these psalms rather than to others is unknown. So far as appears, the title, in that sense, would be applicable to many other... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 42:1

As the hart panteth after the water-brooks - Margin, brayeth. The word rendered hart - איל 'ayâl - means commonly a stag, hart, male deer: Deuteronomy 12:15; Deuteronomy 14:5; Isaiah 35:6. The word is masculine, but in this place is joined with a feminine verb, as words of the common gender may be, and thus denotes a hind, or female deer. The word rendered in the text “panteth,” and in the margin “brayeth” - ערג ‛ârag - occurs only in this place and in Joel 1:20, where it is applied to the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 42:2

My soul thirsteth for God - That is, as the hind thirsts for the running stream.For the living God - God, not merely as God, without anything more definitely specified, but God considered as living, as himself possessing life, and as having the power of imparting that life to the soul.When shall I come and appear before God? - That is, as I have been accustomed to do in the sanctuary. When shall I be restored to the privilege of again uniting with his people in public prayer and praise? The... 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 42:5

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? - Margin, bowed down. The Hebrew word means to bow down, to incline oneself; then, usually, to prostrate oneself as in public worship; and then, to sink down under the weight of sorrow; to be depressed and sad. The Septuagint renders it, “Why art thou grieved?” - περίλυπος perilupos. So the Vulgate. This is an earnest remonstrance addressed by himself to his own soul, as if there were really no occasion for this excessive depression; as if he cherished his... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 42:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 42:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 42:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 42:11

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 42

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 42:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 42:2

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

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

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 42:5

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