Psalm 42:5

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 42:5

(5) Why art thou.—The refrain here breaks in on the song like a sigh, the spirit of dejection struggling against the spirit of faith.Cast down.—Better, as in margin, bowed down, and in the original with a middle sense, “why bowest thou down thyself?”Disquieted.—From root kindred to and with the meaning of our word “hum.” The idea of “internal emotion” is easily derivable from its use. We see the process in such expressions as Isaiah 16:11, “My bowels shall sound like a harp for Moab.”For the... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Psalms 42:1-11

The Thirst for the Living God Psalms 42:2 There is scarcely a phase of philosophy about us, or a really profound experience which we observe, which does not illustrate the increasing thirst of the human soul for the living God. I. Take, in the first place, the philosophy of the time, and consider the outcome of those forms of philosophy which, to the religious mind, are most unpromising and repelling. For the last twenty years philosophical unbelief has been taking shape among English-speaking... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Psalms 42:1-11

Psalms 42:1-11, Psalms 43:1-5THE second book of the Psalter is characterised by the use of the Divine name "Elohim" instead of "Jehovah." It begins with a cluster of seven psalms (reckoning Psalms 42:1-11; Psalms 43:1-5, as one) of which the superscription is most probably regarded as ascribing their authorship to "the sons of Korach." These were Levites, and (according to 1 Chronicles 9:19 seq.) the office of keepers of the door of the sanctuary had been hereditary in their family from the... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Psalms 42:1-11

II. THE EXODUS SECTION: BOOK TWO:PSALM 42-72 The second division of the book of Psalms corresponds to the book of Exodus, the second book of the Pentateuch. That book begins with the groans and moans of a suffering people in Egypt and after redemption by blood and by power, ends with the glory of the Lord filling the tabernacle when the work was finished. Ruin, oppression, suffering and sorrow, ending in deliverance and redemption, is the order in which the Psalms in this section are arranged.... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Psalms 42:5

42:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and [why] art thou disquieted in me? {e} hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him [for] the help of his countenance.(e) Though he sustained grievous assaults of the flesh to cast him into despair, yet his faith grounded on God’s accustomed mercies gets the victory. read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Psalms 42:1-11

Psalms 38:0 An appeal to God from chastisement because of iniquity (Psalms 38:1-4 ). The mental anguish is described in figures of physical disease, and yet it is not impossible that such disease may have been part of the chastisement (Psalms 38:5-8 ). The desertion of friends and the opposition of enemies also entered into it (Psalms 38:10-17 ). There are verses susceptible of an application to Christ, but others would prevent its application as a whole to him. Psalms 40:0 Messianic (compare... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Psalms 42:1-11

Thirsting for God Psa 42:1 Why does the hart pant after the water brooks? Why does not the hart go quietly and take its draught of limpid water? Why this panting, why this heart-beating, why this pulsing all over? See how the poor beast pants, quakes in distress! The little birds go and take their sip of dew with decent quietude; they make no stir or tumult Why then should the hart pant? for the term is energetic, indicative of an excited state of blood. We need some other word here to... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Psalms 42:5

The holy mourner seems to have found strength from having given vent to his full soul, and therefore expostulates with himself and his unbelief. What! shall I despond, shall I be cast down, who have found God faithful in all that is past? Will Jehovah be less Jehovah to me than to all his people? Will Christ's suretyship be less blessed to me? has his blood lost its efficacy to cleanse? can his righteousness justify me no more? Oh no! I will believe. I will depend. I have hope and sustaining... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Psalms 42:5

My God. This word is singular; but the former "Elohim," is plural, to intimate one God in three persons. (Worthington) --- Harp. Hebrew cinnor, which Symmachus renders, "the psaltery." The sons of Core were chiefly door-keepers: but they also played on musical instruments. (Calmet) read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 42:1-5

1-5 The psalmist looked to the Lord as his chief good, and set his heart upon him accordingly; casting anchor thus at first, he rides out the storm. A gracious soul can take little satisfaction in God's courts, if it do not meet with God himself there. Living souls never can take up their rest any where short of a living God. To appear before the Lord is the desire of the upright, as it is the dread of the hypocrite. Nothing is more grievous to a gracious soul, than what is intended to shake... read more

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