Keraia
Psalm 42

Psalm 42:10

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

Translations

Modern
Like the crushing of my bones, my enemies taunt me, while they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
Traditional
As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
Literal
With a shattering in my bones, my enemies taunt me, in their saying to me all the day, “Where is your God?”
Latin
Dum confringuntur ossa mea, exprobraverunt mihi qui tribulant me inimici mei, dum dicunt mihi per singulos dies: Ubi est Deus tuus?

Original

Hebrew
English
Like the crushing of my bones, my enemies taunt me, while they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”

Notes

Psalms 42:9–10

The psalmist brings his many doubts, discouragements, and questions directly to God.

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

Glossary

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

Topics

Desire: Spiritual Persecution of the Righteous Reviling and Reproaching: Saints: Sometimes Depressed By Scoffing: General Scriptures Concerning