Psalm 42:9

Translations

Modern

I say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why must I walk in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression?”

Traditional

I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

Literal

I will say to God my rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why must I walk in mourning in the oppression of the enemy?”

Latin

Dicam Deo: Susceptor meus es; quare oblitus es mei? et quare contristatus incedo, dum affligit me inimicus?

Original

Hebrew

English

I say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why must I walk in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression?”

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

Related verses

Psalm 38:6
I am bent and brought low; all day long I go about mourning.
Psalm 18:2
The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 43:2
For You are the God of my refuge. Why have You rejected me? Why must I walk in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression?
Lamentations 5:1–16
Remember, O LORD, what has happened to us. Look and see our disgrace!
Psalm 62:2
He alone is my rock and my salvation. He is my fortress; I will never be shaken.
Isaiah 40:27
Why do you say, O Jacob, and why do you assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my claim is ignored by my God”?
Psalm 28:1
Of David. To You, O LORD, I call; be not deaf to me, O my Rock. For if You remain silent, I will be like those descending to the Pit.
Psalm 44:23–24
Wake up, O Lord! Why are You sleeping? Arise! Do not reject us forever.
Psalm 62:6–7
He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress; I will not be shaken.
Psalm 55:3
…at the voice of the enemy, at the pressure of the wicked. For they bring down disaster upon me and resent me in their anger.
Ecclesiastes 4:1
Again I looked, and I considered all the oppression taking place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; the power lay in the hands of their oppressors, and there was no comforter.
Isaiah 49:15
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Glossary

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

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Prayer In Desire: Spiritual

Psalm 42:9

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