Psalm 42:5-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 42:1-11

Spiritual depression. The scene of this psalm seems to have been on the other side of Jordan, near the shining heights of Hermon. Here we may imagine the writer, probably a Hebrew exile, straining his eyes to catch a glimpse of the dear laud of his fathers that was soon to pass from his sight. To him it seemed as if to be separated from Jerusalem was to be separated from God; as if losing the fellowship of the saints were losing God. The hart panting for the water-brooks imaged the grief... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 42:5

Why art thou cast down? or, Why art thou bowed down ? i.e. brought low—a term indicative of the very extreme of dejection. O my soul. The spirit, or higher reason, rebukes the "soul," or passionate nature, for allowing itself to be so depressed, and seeks to encourage and upraise it. And why art thou so disquieted in me? rather, Why dost thou make thy moan over me ? literally, make a roaring noise like the sea (comp. Psalms 46:3 ; Jeremiah 4:19 ; Jeremiah 5:22 ). Hope thou... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 42:6

O my God, my soul is cast down within me ; or, bowed down , as in the first clause of Psalms 42:5 . Therefore will I remember thee . As a remedy for my depression, I will call thee to mind, and cast myself on thee. From the land of Jordan. From the place of my present abode—the Trans-Jordanic region—to which, on the revolt of Absalom, David had fled ( 2 Samuel 17:24 ). And of the Hormonites ; rather, and of the Hermons. This expression is not elsewhere used, and can only be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 42:6

The hill Mizar. Association is a potent factor in life. Here it may have worked by contrast. "Mizar," as a little hill, may have called to the mind of David, in exile, the mountains of Judah, and the far-off land of his fathers and his God. We may take "Mizar" to illustrate— I. THE CHANGES OF LIFE . As with David, so with us, changes come. We may have rest or be compelled to wander. We may have the joys of home or we may be doomed to solitude and to exile. Wherever we are, let... 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 42:6

O my God, my soul is cast down within me - This is the utterance of a soul in anguish, notwithstanding the purpose not to be cast down, and the conviction that hope ought to be cherished. The psalmist cannot but say that, despite all this, he is sad. His troubles come rushing over his soul; they all return at once; his heart is oppressed, and he is constrained to confess that, notwithstanding his solemn purpose not to be sad, and the conviction that he ought to be cheerful, and his wish to be... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 42:5

Psalms 42:5. Why art thou cast down, O my soul With excessive sorrow and despair. Why art thou disquieted within me? Is there any cause that anxiety of mind should put thee into a state of such perturbation, as if all hopes of this felicity were lost for ever? Hope thou in God Trust in him, and patiently wait upon him. For I shall yet praise him The time will come when I shall go again to his house, and praise him for his favour toward me. For the help of his countenance Hebrew, ... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 42:6

Psalms 42:6 . My soul is cast down within me I am overcome with grief, while I am forced to hide myself in this wilderness beyond Jordan, and wander up and down on these solitary mountains, far distant from thy tabernacle; therefore That I may revive my drooping spirits; I will remember thee from the land of Jordan I will consider thy infinite mercy, and power, and faithfulness, and thy gracious presence in the sanctuary, from whence thou dost hear and answer all those that call upon... 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 42:5

Why . . . ? Figure of speech Cycloides. The question repeated in Psalms 42:11 and Psalms 43:5 . See the Structure, above. And why . . . ? This second "why" is in the text of some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, as in Psalms 42:11 and Psalms 43:5 . help. Hebrew, plural salvations. Plural of majesty = great help, or great salvation. His. Hebrew text reads "my", so that, where I go I am delivered. countenance. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), put for the whole person. read more

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