Psalm 42:1-4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 42:2

Verse 2 The second verse illustrates more clearly what I have already said, that David does not simply speak of the presence of God, but of the presence of God in connection with certain symbols; for he sets before himself the tabernacle, the altar, the sacrifices, and other ceremonies by which God had testified that he would be near his people; and that it behoved the faithful, in seeking to approach God, to begin by those things. Not that they should continue attached to them, but that they... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 42:3

Verse 3 3.My tears have been my bread Here the Psalmist mentions another sharp piercing shaft with which the wicked and malevolent grievously wounded his heart. There can be no doubt that Satan made use of such means as these to fan the flame that consumed him with grief. “What,” we may suppose that adversary to say, “wouldst thou have? Seest thou not that God hath cast thee off? For certainly he desires to be worshipped in the tabernacle, to which you have now no opportunity of access, and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 42:4

Verse 4 4.When I remember these things This verse is somewhat obscure, on account of the variation of the tenses in the Hebrew. And yet I have no doubt that the true and natural sense is, that David, when he called to remembrance his former condition, experienced so much the greater sadness by comparing it with his present condition. The remembrance, I say, of the past had no small influence in aggravating his misery, from the thought that he, who had formerly acted the part of a leader and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 42:1

As the hart panteth after the water-brooks. Stags and hinds need abundant water, especially in hot countries, and, in time of drought, may be said, with a slight poetical licence, to "pant," or "cry" ( Joel 1:20 ) for it. They are still found in Palestine, though rather scarce. So panteth my soul after thee, O God. The "panting" of the soul does not mean any physical action, but a longing desire for a Messing that is, at any fate for a time, withheld. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 42:1-2

The intense longing of the soul after God. "My soul thirsteth," etc. Amid the trackless mountains and rugged valleys beyond Jordan, where the roaring torrents seem to answer one another from glen to glen, the heart of the pious exile turned with passionate yearning to the city and temple of God. It was, perhaps, as difficult for him to dissociate his deep spiritual yearning after God from the solemn and glorious services of the temple, as it is for us fully to realize the power and value... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 42:1-11

There is an intimate union between this psalm and the next, which is a sort of additional stanza, terminating in the same refrain (comp. Psalms 43:5 with Psalms 42:5 and Psalms 42:11 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 42:1-11

A thirst for God. This is one of the most touching, pathetic, and beautiful of the Psalms. It is not possible to decide either its author or the time of its composition. Its tones are very much like the plaintive sounds from David's harp, whether or no he was its writer (but see homily on Psalms 43:1-5 .). Leaving untouched, owing to want of space, the historical and geographical matters suggested in the psalm, £ we shall devote ourselves entirely to the opening up of its deep pathos... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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 42:2

My soul thirsteth for God (comp. Psalms 63:1 ; Psalms 143:6 ; Isaiah 55:1 ). The devout soul is always athirst for God. David felt his severance from the tabernacle and its services as a sort of severance from God himself, whom he was accustomed to approach through the services of the sanctuary (see 2 Samuel 15:25 , 2 Samuel 15:26 ). For the living God . This title of God occurs only in one other psalm ( Psalms 84:2 ); but it was a title familiar to David ( 1 Samuel 17:27 ).... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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