Keraia
Psalm 42

Psalm 42:11

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

Translations

Modern
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.
Traditional
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Literal
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in commotion within me? Wait for God, for still I will praise Him, the salvation of my face, and my God.
Latin
Quare tristis es, anima mea? et quare conturbas me? Spera in Deo, quoniam adhuc confitebor illi, salutare vultus mei, et Deus meus.

Original

Hebrew
English
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.

Notes

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 Savior

Topics

Assurance: Confident Hope in God Restores Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have: Confident Hope in God Restores Countenance: Health Indicated In Desire: Spiritual Despair: Trust in God, a Preservative Against Overcoming Disappointment Resignation: Submission to the Will of God Reviling and Reproaching: Saints: Sometimes Depressed By