1As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God. 2My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? 3My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually ask me, "Where is your God?" 4These things I remember, and pour out my soul within me, how I used to go with the crowd, and led them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping a holy day. 5Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him for the saving help of his presence. 6My God, my soul is in despair within me. Therefore I remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon, from the hill Mizar. 7Deep calls to deep at the noise of your waterfalls. All your waves and your billows have swept over me. 8Yahweh will command his loving kindness in the daytime. In the night his song shall be with me: a prayer to the God of my life. 9I will ask God, my rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?" 10As with a sword in my bones, my adversaries reproach me, while they continually ask me, "Where is your God?" 11Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him, the saving help of my countenance, and my God.
The Book ofPsalms 42Chapter XLII 42
· 11 verses · 2 minute read
About this chapter
Psalms 42 — Kingdom Period
Sons of Korah — Levitical musicians and temple singers who served in worship. Set in Exile from Jerusalem, possibly northern Israel. A worship leader finds himself cut off from the temple in Jerusalem, the place where he once led thousands in praise and felt God's presence most powerfully. Now in exile or distant travel, he's surrounded by people who mock his faith and ask 'Where is your God?' His soul feels parched and desperate, like a deer searching for water in a drought. He tries to preach hope to himself, remembering better days while battling waves of depression.
“Psalms 42:1”— 42:1
Read when: Read this when you feel spiritually dry and far from God, longing for the closeness you once knew.
Key verses in Psalms 42
Psalms 42:1 · High comfortPsalms 42:11 · High comfortPsalms 42:5
Explore each verse of Psalms 42
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