Psalms 42
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Maschil--(See on Psa 32:1, title). For, or of (see Introduction) the sons of Korah. The writer, perhaps one of this Levitical family of singers accompanying David in exile, mourns his absence from the sanctuary, a cause of grief aggravated by the taunts of enemies, and is comforted in hopes of relief. This course of thought is repeated with some variety of detail, but closing with the same refrain. (Psa 42:1-11) Compare (Psa 63:1). panteth--desires in a state of exhaustion.
Open source ↗As the hart panteth after the water brooks,.... Either through a natural thirst that creature is said to have; or through the heat of the summer season; and especially when hunted by dogs, it betakes itself to rivers of water, partly to make its escape, and partly to extinguish its thirst, and refresh itself. The word here used denotes the cry of the hart, when in distress for water, and pants after it, and is peculiar to it; and the verb being of the feminine gender, hence the Septuagint render it the "hind"; and Kimchi conjectures that the reason of it may be, because the voice of the female may be stronger than that of the male; but the contrary is asserted by the philosopher (c), who says, that the male harts cry much stronger than the females; and that the voice of the female is short, but that of the male is long, or protracted. Schindler (d) gives three reasons why these creatures are so desirous of water; because they were in desert places, where water was wanting; and another, that being heated by destroying and eating serpents, they coveted water to refresh themselves; and the third, when followed by dogs, they betake themselves into the water, and go into that for safety; so panteth my soul after thee, O God; being persecuted by men, and deprived of the word and worship of God, which occasioned a vehement desire after communion with him in his house and ordinances: some render the words, "as the field", or "meadow, desires the shower", &c. (e); or thirsts after it when parched with drought; see Isa 35:7; and by these metaphors, one or the other, is expressed the psalmist's violent and eager thirst after the enjoyment of God in public worship. (c) Aristot. Hist. Animal. l. 4. c. 11. (d) Lexic. Pentaglott. col. 68. so Kimchi. (e) Sept. & Symmachus apud Drusium.
Open source ↗(Heb.: 42:2-6) The poet compares the thirsting of his soul after God to the thirsting of a stag. איּל (like other names of animals is epicoene, so that there is no necessity to adopt Bצttcher's emendation כּעיּלת תערג) is construed with a feminine predicate in order to indicate the stag (hind) as an image of the soul. ערג is not merely a quiet languishing, but a strong, audible thirsting or panting for water, caused by prevailing drought, Psa 63:2; Joe 1:20; the signification desiderare refers back to the primary notion of inclinare (cf. Arab. 'l-mı̂l, the act of inclining), for the primary meaning of the verb Arab. ‛rj is to be slanting, inclined or bent, out of which has been developed the signification of ascending and moving upwards, which is transferred in Hebrew to an upward-directed longing. Moreover, it is not with Luther (lxx, Vulgate and authorized version) to be rendered: as the (a) stag crieth, etc., but (and it is accented accordingly): as a stag, which, etc. אפיק = אפק is, according to its primary signification, a watercourse holding water (vid., Psa 18:16). By the addition of מים the full and flowing watercourse is distinguished from one that is dried up. על and אל point to the difference in the object of the longing, viz., the hind has this object beneath herself, the soul above itself; the longing of the one goes deorsum, the longing of the other sursum. The soul's longing is a thirsting לאל חי. Such is the name here applied to God (as in Psa 84:3) in the sense in which flowing water is called living, as the spring or fountain of life (Psa 36:10) from which flows forth a grace that never dries up, and which stills the thirst of the soul. The spot where this God reveals Himself to him who seeks Him is the sanctuary on Zion: when shall I come and appear i…
Open source ↗Holy love to God as the chief good and our felicity is the power of godliness, the very life and soul of religion, without which all external professions and performances are but a shell and carcase: now here we have some of the expressions of that love. Here is, I. Holy love thirsting, love upon the wing, soaring upwards in holy desires towards the Lord and towards the remembrance of his name (Psa 42:1, Psa 42:2): "My soul panteth, thirsteth, for God, for nothing more than God, but still for more and more of him." Now observe, 1. When it was that David thus expressed his vehement desire towards God. It was, (1.) When he was debarred from his outward opportunities of waiting on God, when he was banished to the land of Jordan, a great way off from the courts of God's house. Note, Sometimes God teaches us effectually to know the worth of mercies by the want of them, and whets our appetite for the means of grace by cutting us short in those means. We are apt to loathe that manna, when we have plenty of it, which will be very precious to us if ever we come to know the scarcity of it. (2.) When he was deprived, in a great measure, of the inward comfort he used to have in God. He now went mourning, but he went on panting. Note, If God, by his grace, has wrought in us sincere and earnest desires towards him, we may take comfort from these when we want those ravishing delights we have sometimes had in God, because lamenting after God is as sure an evidence that we love him as rejoicing in God. Before the psalmist records his doubts, and fears, and griefs, which had sorely shaken him, he premises this, That he looked upon the living God as his chief good, and had set his heart upon him accordingly, and was resolved to live and die by him; and, casting anchor thus at first, he ri…
Open source ↗Pss 42–43 These psalms, like Pss 9 and 10, form a unit comprising a lament with a bittersweet refrain of hope (42:5, 11; 43:5). In many Hebrew manuscripts these two psalms are combined as one. The historical context is uncertain; these psalms might be the voice of God’s people in exile, confessing their loyalty to God as he punishes them for their prevailing apostasy. The psalmist longs for fellowship with God such as he enjoyed in Jerusalem (42:4); his memories only make him more discouraged. As the psalmist cries out to God, he recalls God’s love and faithfulness (42:8), which moves him to plead for vindication (43:1-4). 42:title The descendants of Korah were members of a Levitical choir appointed by David to serve as Temple singers (see 1 Chr 6:22-38; 9:19-34; 2 Chr 20:19). Their ancestor Korah was the apostate who had rebelled against Moses and whom the earth swallowed up (Exod 6:24; Num 16). 42:1-4 The psalmist’s longing for God comes from being geographically distant from the Temple as he remembers the past. • The verb translated longs is found only here and in Joel 1:20 (“cry out”); in both cases it refers to extreme thirst in a waterless desert (see Pss 63:1; 143:6; see also 84:2).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
נָצַח (nâtsach, H5329) — properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of… מַשְׂכִּיל (maskîyl, H4905) — instructive, i.e. a didactic poem בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… קֹרַח (Qôrach, H7141) — Korach, the name of two Edomites and three Israelites אַיָּל (ʼayâl, H354) — a stag or male deer עָרַג (ʻârag, H6165) — to long for מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen אָפִיק (ʼâphîyq, H650) — properly, containing, i.e. a tube; also a bed or valley of astream; also a strong thing… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… צָמֵא (tsâmêʼ, H6770) — to thirst (literally or figuratively) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… אֵל (ʼêl, H410) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗דִּמְעָה (dimʻâh, H1832) — weeping לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) יוֹמָם (yôwmâm, H3119) — daily לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗זָכַר (zâkar, H2142) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention;… שָׁפַךְ (shâphak, H8210) — to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e. to mound up); also… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… סָךְ (çâk, H5519) — properly, a thicket of men, i.e. a crowd דָּדָה (dâdâh, H1718) — to walk gently בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound רִנָּה (rinnâh, H7440) — properly, a creaking (or shrill sound), i.e. shout (of joy or grief) תּוֹדָה (tôwdâh, H8426) — properly, an extension of the hand, i.e. (by implication) avowal, or (usually) adoration;… הָמוֹן (hâmôwn, H1995) — a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth חָגַג (châgag, H2287) — properly, to move in acircle, i.e. (specifically) to march in asacred procession, to…
Open source ↗שָׁחַח (shâchach, H7817) — to sink or depress (reflexive or causative) נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… הָמָה (hâmâh, H1993) — to make a loud sound (like English 'hum'); by implication, to be in great commotion or… יָחַל (yâchal, H3176) — to wait; by implication, to be patient, hope אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יָדָה (yâdâh, H3034) — physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship… יְשׁוּעָה (yᵉshûwʻâh, H3444) — something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… שָׁחַח (shâchach, H7817) — to sink or depress (reflexive or causative) זָכַר (zâkar, H2142) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention;… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יַרְדֵּן (Yardên, H3383) — Jarden, the principal river of Palestine חֶרְמוֹנִים (Chermôwnîym, H2769) — Hermons, i.e. its peaks הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) מִצְעָר (Mitsʻâr, H4706) — Mitsar, a peak of Lebanon
Open source ↗תְּהוֹם (tᵉhôwm, H8415) — an abyss (as a surging mass of water), especially the deep (the main sea or the… קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound צִנּוּר (tsinnûwr, H6794) — a culvert מִשְׁבָּר (mishbâr, H4867) — a breaker (of the sea) גַּל (gal, H1530) — something rolled, i.e. a heap of stone or dung (plural ruins), by analogy, a spring of… עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin חֵסֵד (chêçêd, H2617) — kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or… יוֹמָם (yôwmâm, H3119) — daily לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity שִׁיר (shîyr, H7892) — a song; abstractly, singing תְּפִלָּה (tᵉphillâh, H8605) — intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn אֵל (ʼêl, H410) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity) חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֵל (ʼêl, H410) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity) סֶלַע (çelaʻ, H5553) — a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress) שָׁכַח (shâkach, H7911) — to mislay, i.e. to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) קָדַר (qâdar, H6937) — to be ashy, i.e. darkcolored; by implication, to mourn (in sackcloth or sordid garments) לַחַץ (lachats, H3906) — distress אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary
Open source ↗רֶצַח (retsach, H7524) — a crushing; specifically, a murder-cry עֶצֶם (ʻetsem, H6106) — a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.)… צָרַר (tsârar, H6887) — to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive חָרַף (châraph, H2778) — to pull off, i.e. (by implication) to expose (as by stripping); specifically, to betroth… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗שָׁחַח (shâchach, H7817) — to sink or depress (reflexive or causative) נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… הָמָה (hâmâh, H1993) — to make a loud sound (like English 'hum'); by implication, to be in great commotion or… יָחַל (yâchal, H3176) — to wait; by implication, to be patient, hope אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יָדָה (yâdâh, H3034) — physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship… יְשׁוּעָה (yᵉshûwʻâh, H3444) — something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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I open my mouth and pant, longing for Your commandments.
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, His holy mountain.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.
You showed favor to Your land, O LORD; You restored Jacob from captivity.
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses to the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.
Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout unto God with a voice of triumph.
We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us the work You did in their days, in the days of old.
Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all inhabitants of the world,
and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households—all Korah’s men and all their possessions.
Now Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath son of Levi, along with some Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—conducted