Psalm 42:4

Translations

Modern

These things come to mind as I pour out my soul: how I walked with the multitude, leading the festive procession to the house of God with shouts of joy and praise.

Traditional

When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

Literal

These things I remember, and I pour out my soul within myself: How I crossed over with the throng; I moved with them up to the house of God, with the voice of shouting and praise, with a multitude keeping the feast.

Latin

Hæc recordatus sum, et effudi in me animam meam, quoniam transibo in locum tabernaculi admirabilis, usque ad domum Dei, in voce exsultationis et confessionis, sonus epulantis.

Original

Hebrew

English

These things come to mind as I pour out my soul: how I walked with the multitude, leading the festive procession to the house of God with shouts of joy and praise.

Notes

Psalms 42:4

The psalmist remembers leading a large procession as part of the Levitical choir, possibly during the important holy days.

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

Related verses

Isaiah 30:29
You will sing as on the night of a holy festival, and your heart will rejoice like one who walks to the music of a flute, going up to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel.
1 Samuel 1:15–16
“No, my lord,” Hannah replied. “I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have not had any wine or strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the LORD.
Psalm 122:1
A song of ascents. Of David. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
Psalm 62:8
Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Selah
Job 29:2–30:31
“How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me,
Psalm 100:4
Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and bless His name.
Psalm 55:14
We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God.
Nahum 1:15
Look to the mountains—the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your feasts, O Judah; fulfill your vows. For the wicked will never again march through you; they will be utterly cut off.
Deuteronomy 16:14–15
And you shall rejoice in your feast—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you.
2 Chronicles 7:10
On the twenty-third day of the seventh month, Solomon sent the people away to their homes, joyful and glad of heart for the good things that the LORD had done for David, for Solomon, and for His people Israel.
Psalm 81:1–3
For the choirmaster. According to Gittith. Of Asaph. Sing for joy to God our strength; make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob.
1 Chronicles 16:1–43
So they brought the ark of God and placed it inside the tent that David had pitched for it. And they presented burnt offerings and peace offerings before God.

Glossary

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

Topics

Church: House of God Communion of Saints: Delight of Desire: Spiritual Feasts: (Instituted by Moses): All Males Were Required to Attend Feasts: (Instituted by Moses): Kept with Rejoicing Joy: Saints should Engage in all Religious Services With Joy: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Praise: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Prayer: should be offered Up with the Soul Public Prayer: Saints Delight In Seekers: General Scriptures Concerning the Anniversary Feasts were Seasons of Joy and Gladness the Anniversary Feasts: The Jews Went up To, in Large Companies Thirst: Figurative of the Ardent Desire of the Devout Mind Worship: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

Psalm 42:4

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