Keraia
Psalm 42

Psalm 42:1

As the Deer Pants for the Water · Psalm 42:1–11
Read Psalm 42

Translations

Modern
For the choirmaster. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God.
Traditional
To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
Literal
For the one directing. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, O God.
Latin
In finem. Intellectus filiis Core. Quemadmodum desiderat cervus ad fontes aquarum, ita desiderat anima mea ad te, Deus.

Original

Hebrew
English
For the choirmaster. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God.

Notes

Psalms 42:1

The sons of Korah were members of a Levitical choir. They were chosen by David to serve as singers in the temple (see 1 Chronicles 6:22–38; 9:19–34; 2 Chronicles 20:19). Their ancestor Korah was the rebel who opposed Moses and was swallowed by the earth (Exodus 6:24; Numbers 16).

Psalms 42:1–4

  • The psalmist's deep desire for God arises from being far away from the temple as he remembers the past.

  • The verb translated as "longs" appears only here and in Joel 1:20 (meaning "cry out"). In both instances, it describes extreme thirst in a dry desert (see Psalms 63:1; 143:6; see also 84:2).

Psalms 42:1–43:5

These psalms, like Psalms 9 and 10, form a unit with a lament and a bittersweet refrain of hope (Psalm 42:5, 11; 43:5). Many Hebrew manuscripts combine these two psalms into one.

The historical context is unclear; these psalms might represent God's people in exile, expressing loyalty to God while he punishes them for their ongoing disobedience.

The psalmist longs for the fellowship with God he had in Jerusalem (Psalm 42:4); his memories only deepen his discouragement. As the psalmist cries out to God, he remembers God's love and faithfulness (Psalm 42:8), which leads him to ask for vindication (43:1–4).

Theme notes and profiles

Questions and Doubt

People

Korah: Levite rebel leader; his descendants became temple servants Maskil: A musical or literary term in the Psalms

Glossary

David Korahite, Korathite Music Numbers, Book of Psalms, Book of Zion

Topics

Access to God: Saints Earnestly Seek Affections of Saints, Supremely Set on God Communion with God: Saints: Desire Compared To Saints: Thirsting Deer Desire: Spiritual Intimacy with God Korah: Son of Kohath, and Head of the Family of Sacred Musicians Among the Levites To Music: Maschil: This Musical Sign Occurs in the Titles of Psalms: Afflictions Religious Zeal: General Scriptures Concerning Righteous: Thirsting Deer Seekers: General Scriptures Concerning The Affections of Saints, Supremely Set on God The Hart: (Panting for Water) Afflicted Saints Longing for God Thirst: Figurative of the Ardent Desire of the Devout Mind