Psalms 42
42
A Cry for Revival # 42 Psalms 42 and 43 were originally composed as one psalm and later made into two.
For the Pure and Shining One
A contemplative poem for instruction by the prophetic singers of Korah’s clan # 42 Korah was the great-grandson of Levi. The sons of Korah (translated here as the “prophetic singers of Korah’s clan”) were Levitical singers. David chose them to preside over the music of the tabernacle-tent on Mount Zion.
1I long to drink of you, O God,
to drink deeply from the streams of pleasure
flowing from your presence.
My longings overwhelm me for more of you! # 42:1 The literal Hebrew is “as the deer pants for the riverbank [water’s edge].” This translation takes the metaphor of a hunted deer and puts it into terms that transfer the meaning into today’s context. David was describing the passion and longing he had that was yet unfulfilled.
2My soul thirsts, pants, and longs for the living God.
I want to come and see the face of God.
3Day and night my tears keep falling
and my heart keeps crying for your help,
while my enemies mock me over and over, saying,
“Where is this God of yours? Why doesn’t he help you?”
4So I speak over my heartbroken soul,
“Take courage. Remember when you used to be
right out front leading the procession of praise
when the great crowd of worshipers
gathered to go into the presence of the Lord?
You shouted with joy as the sound of passionate celebration
filled the air and the joyous multitude of lovers
honored the feast of the Lord!”
5So then, my soul, why would you be depressed?
Why would you sink into despair?
Just keep hoping and waiting on God, your Savior.
For no matter what, I will still sing with praise,
for you are my saving grace!
6Here I am depressed and downcast.
Yet I will still remember you as I ponder the place
where your glory streams down from the mighty mountaintops, lofty and majestic—the mountains of your awesome presence. # 42:6 The Hebrew text contains “Mount Hermon” and “Mount Mizar,” considered to be sacred mountains in the Hebrew culture. Hermon means “lofty and majestic.” Mizar means “littleness.”
7My deep need calls out to the deep kindness of your love.
Your waterfall of weeping sent waves of sorrow
over my soul, carrying me away,
cascading over me like a thundering cataract.
8All through the day Yahweh has commanded his endless love to pour over me.
Through the night I sing his songs
and my praises # 42:8 Or “my prayer.” to the living God.
9I will say to God, “You are my mountain of strength;
how could you forget me?
Why must I suffer this vile oppression of my enemies—
these heartless tormentors who are out to kill me?”
10Their wounding words pierce my heart
over and over while they say,
“Where is this God of yours?”
11So I say to my soul,
“Don’t be discouraged. Don’t be disturbed.
For I know my God will break through for me.”
Then I’ll have plenty of reasons to praise him all over again.
Yes, he is my saving grace!
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Psalms 42: TPT
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Learn More About The Passion TranslationPsalms 42
42
Book 2
(Psalms 42-72)
To the director: A maskil from the Korah family.
1Like a deer drinking from a stream,
I reach out to you, my God.#42:1 Or “As a deer stretches out to drink water from a stream, so my soul thirsts for you, God.”
2My soul thirsts for the living God.
When can I go to meet with him?
3Instead of food, I have only tears day and night,
as my enemies laugh at me and say, “Where is your God?”
4My heart breaks as I remember the pleasant times in the past,
when I walked with the crowds as I led them up to God’s Temple.
I remember the happy songs of praise
as they celebrated the festival.
5-6Why am I so sad?
Why am I so upset?
I tell myself, “Wait for God’s help!
You will again be able to praise him,
your God, the one who will save you.”
In my sadness I say, “I will remember you from here on this small hill,#42:5-6 small hill Or “Mount Mizar.”
where Mount Hermon and the Jordan River meet.”
7I hear the roar of the water coming from deep within the earth.
It shouts to the water below as it tumbles down the waterfall.
God, your waves come one after another,
crashing all around and over me.#42:7 God, your waves … over me These word pictures describe the psalmist’s feelings about the many troubles the Lord has allowed him to experience.
8By day the Lord shows his faithful love,
and at night I have a song for him—a prayer for the God of my life.#42:8 the God of my life Or “my living God.”
9I say to God, my Rock,
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I suffer this sadness that my enemies have brought me?”
10Their constant insults are killing me.
They never stop asking, “Where is your God?”
11Why am I so sad?
Why am I so upset?
I tell myself, “Wait for God’s help!
You will again be able to praise him,
your God, the one who will save you.”
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