Psalms 42:10

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Psalms 42:10 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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

King James Version KJV

As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?

American Standard Version ASV

As with a sword in my bones, mine adversaries reproach me, While they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?

Bible in Basic English BBE

The cruel words of my haters are like a crushing of my bones; when they say to me every day, Where is your God?

Free Bible Version FBV

The mocking of my attackers crushes my bones. They're always asking me, “Where is your God?”

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

My bones are cut asunder, while mine enemies reproch me, saying dayly vnto me, Where is thy God?

Young's Literal Translation YLT

With a sword in my bones Have mine adversaries reproached me, In their saying unto me all the day, 'Where [is] thy God?'

World English Bible WEB

As with a sword in my bones, my adversaries reproach me, while they continually ask me, “Where is your God?”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

As with a sword in my bones, my enemies reproach me; while they say daily to me, Where is thy God?

Translation for Translators T4T

They make fun of me constantly; they continually ask, “Why does your god not help you?” [RHQ] And when they insult me like that, it is like wounds that I feel even in my bones.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 42:10

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Psalms 42:10 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB אוֹמְרָ֤ה לְ/אֵ֥ל סַלְעִ/י֮ לָ/מָ֪ה שְׁכַ֫חְתָּ֥/נִי לָֽ/מָּה קֹדֵ֥ר אֵלֵ֗ךְ בְּ/לַ֣חַץ אוֹיֵֽב

אוֹמְרָ֤ה ʼâmar H559 to say V-Qal-1cs

לְ/אֵ֥ל ʼêl H410 god Prep | N-ms

סַלְעִ/י֮ çelaʻ H5553 crag N-ms | Suff

לָ/מָ֪ה mâh H4100 what? Prep | Part

שְׁכַ֫חְתָּ֥/נִי shâkach H7911 to forget V-Qal-Perf-2ms | Suff

לָֽ/מָּה mâh H4100 what? Prep | Part

קֹדֵ֥ר qâdar H6937 be dark V-Qal

אֵלֵ֗ךְ yâlak H3212 to walk V-Qal-Imperf-1cs

בְּ/לַ֣חַץ lachats H3906 oppression Prep | N-ms

אוֹיֵֽב ʼôyêb H341 enemy V-Qal

Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 42:10

אוֹמְרָ֤ה ʼâmar H559 "to say" V-Qal-1cs

This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.

Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.

לְ/אֵ֥ל ʼêl H410 "god" Prep | N-ms

In the Bible, 'el means strength or power, and is often used to refer to God or false gods. It describes something or someone as mighty or powerful, like the Almighty. This concept is central to understanding the Bible's view of God.

Definition: : god 1) god, god-like one, mighty one 1a) mighty men, men of rank, mighty heroes 1b) angels 1c) god, false god, (demons, imaginations) 1d) God, the one true God, Jehovah 2) mighty things in nature 3) strength, power Also means: ": power" (el אֵל H0410L)

Usage: Occurs in 235 OT verses. KJV: God (god), [idiom] goodly, [idiom] great, idol, might(-y one), power, strong. Compare names in '-el.' See also: Genesis 14:18; Job 33:14; Psalms 5:5.

סַלְעִ/י֮ çelaʻ H5553 "crag" N-ms | Suff

This word means a craggy rock or cliff, a strong and secure place, like the rock of salvation in Psalm 71:3.

Definition: 1) crag, cliff, rock 1a) crag, cliff 1b) as stronghold of Jehovah, of security (fig.)

Usage: Occurs in 53 OT verses. KJV: (ragged) rock, stone(-ny), strong hold. See also: Numbers 20:8; Psalms 71:3; Psalms 18:3.

לָ/מָ֪ה mâh H4100 "what?" Prep | Part

This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.

Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may

Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.

שְׁכַ֫חְתָּ֥/נִי shâkach H7911 "to forget" V-Qal-Perf-2ms | Suff

To forget something means to mislay it or be oblivious to it. This Hebrew word is used in the Bible to describe when people forget things, like God's commands. The KJV translates it as 'to forget' or 'at all'.

Definition: 1) to forget, ignore, wither 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to forget 1a2) to cease to care 1b) (Niphal) to be forgotten 1c) (Piel) to cause to forget 1d) (Hiphil) to make or cause to forget 1e) (Hithpael) to be forgotten Aramaic equivalent: she.khach (שְׁכַח "to find" H7912)

Usage: Occurs in 95 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, (cause to) forget. See also: Genesis 27:45; Psalms 106:13; Psalms 9:13.

לָֽ/מָּה mâh H4100 "what?" Prep | Part

קֹדֵ֥ר qâdar H6937 "be dark" V-Qal

This Hebrew word means to be dark or mournful, often describing someone wearing dark clothes to show sadness. It appears in various forms, like being dark or causing darkness. In the Bible, it's used to describe mourning or being gloomy.

Definition: 1) to mourn, be dark 1a) (Qal) to be dark 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to darken 1b2) to cause to mourn 1c) (Hithpael) to grow dark

Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: be black(-ish), be (make) dark(-en), [idiom] heavily, (cause to) mourn. See also: 1 Kings 18:45; Jeremiah 4:28; Psalms 35:14.

אֵלֵ֗ךְ yâlak H3212 "to walk" V-Qal-Imperf-1cs

To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.

Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk

Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.

בְּ/לַ֣חַץ lachats H3906 "oppression" Prep | N-ms

Oppression is when someone is treated unfairly or cruelly, often by those in power. It can cause distress and suffering for the person being oppressed.

Definition: oppression, distress, pressure

Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: affliction, oppression. See also: Exodus 3:9; Job 36:15; Psalms 42:10.

אוֹיֵֽב ʼôyêb H341 "enemy" V-Qal

This Hebrew word means enemy or adversary, referring to someone who hates or opposes another person or nation. It is used to describe personal or national enemies in the Bible.

Definition: 1) (Qal) enemy 1a) personal 1b) national

Usage: Occurs in 275 OT verses. KJV: enemy, foe. See also: Genesis 22:17; 2 Samuel 22:1; Psalms 3:8.

Study Notes — Psalms 42:10

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Psalms 42:10 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 42:10
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 42:10
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 42:10
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 42:10
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 42:10
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 42:10
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 42:10
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 42:10
Sermons on Psalms 42:10

Context — As the Deer Pants for the Water

8The LORD decrees His loving devotion by day, and at night His song is with me as a prayer to the God of my life. 9I say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why must I walk in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression?”

10Like the crushing of my bones, my enemies taunt me, while they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”

11Why 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.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Psalms 42:3	My tears have been my food both day and night, while men ask me all day long, “Where is your God?”
2	Joel 2:17	Let the priests who minister before the LORD weep between the portico and the altar, saying, “Spare Your people, O LORD, and do not make Your heritage a reproach, an object of scorn among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”
3	Luke 2:35	so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed— and a sword will pierce your soul as well.”
4	Proverbs 12:18	Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
5	Micah 7:10	Then my enemy will see and will be covered with shame— she who said to me, “Where is the LORD your God?” My eyes will see her; at that time she will be trampled like mud in the streets.

Psalms 42:10 Summary

[This verse is talking about a time when the psalmist was feeling really sad and hurt because his enemies were making fun of him and saying that God wasn't with him. It's like they were asking, 'If God is so powerful, why isn't He helping you?' (see also Psalms 22:8). The psalmist is feeling the weight of their words, and it's causing him a lot of emotional pain, like his bones are being crushed. But even in the midst of all this, he is still choosing to trust in God and look to Him for comfort and deliverance (see also Psalms 34:18, Matthew 5:11-12).]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean when the psalmist says 'Like the crushing of my bones, my enemies taunt me'?

This phrase is a metaphor that describes the intense emotional pain the psalmist feels when his enemies mock him, similar to the physical pain of having one's bones crushed (see also Psalms 38:3, Job 19:2).

Why do the enemies of the psalmist ask 'Where is your God?'?

The enemies of the psalmist ask this question to taunt him and to imply that God is not with him or that God is not powerful enough to deliver him from his troubles (see also Psalms 79:10, Joel 2:17).

How does this verse relate to the broader theme of Psalms?

This verse fits into the broader theme of Psalms, which often express the psalmist's trust in God despite experiencing trouble and persecution, as seen in Psalms 23:4 and Psalms 138:8.

What can we learn from the psalmist's experience in this verse?

We can learn that even in the midst of intense emotional pain and mockery from others, we can still trust in God's presence and power, just like the psalmist does in Psalms 42:11, and look to Him for comfort and deliverance (see also Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Reflection Questions

How have you experienced emotional pain or mockery from others, and how did you respond to it?
What are some ways that you can trust in God's presence and power when you face difficult circumstances?
How can you use this verse to encourage someone who is going through a tough time and feeling abandoned by God?
What are some things that you can do to remind yourself of God's love and presence when you are feeling down or discouraged?

Gill's Exposition on Psalms 42:10

[As] with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me,.... The reproaches of his enemies were grievous and cutting to him, as if a sword pierced through the marrow in his bones, which, being very

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 42:10

As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 42:10

In my bones, or in my body, the bones being oft put for the body, whereof they are a very considerable part. Or, as a sword, which pierceth and cutteth my flesh even to the bones, and cutteth or breaketh the very bones also. So painful and vexatious are their reproaches. Where is thy God? of which See Poole "".

Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 42:10

Psalms 42:10 [As] with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where [is] thy God?Ver. 10. As with a sword in my bones] Heb. a murdering weapon, which, when thrust into the bones, causeth most exquisite pain; so deeply was good David affected with the dishonour done to God by his blasphemous enemies; it went to the very heart of him, as a dagger. While they say daily]

Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 42:10

(10) As with a sword.—Margin, killing; better, crushing. The insertion of the conjunction is erroneous. Render, with a shattering of my bones. This, no doubt, refers to actual ill-treatment of the exile by his conductors, who heaped blows, as well as insults, on their captives. We may even suppose this violence especially directed at this particular sufferer, who could not refrain from lingering and looking back, and so irritating his convoy, who would naturally be in a hurry to push forwards. How vividly, too, does the picture of the insulting taunt, “Where is thy God?” rise before us, if we think of the soldiers overhearing the exile’s ejaculations of prayer.

Cambridge Bible on Psalms 42:10

10. My bones are smitten asunder with mine adversaries’ reproaches, While they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? Lit. with crushing in my bones do mine adversaries reproach me. They stab him to the heart with their taunts. ‘The bones,’ in the language of Hebrew poetry, denote the whole physical organism of the living man, as being the framework of it. They are the seat of pain; and mental torture affects the body. Cp. Psalms 6:2 (note); Lamentations 3:4; Isaiah 38:13.

Barnes' Notes on Psalms 42:10

As with a sword in my bones - Margin, killing. The treatment which I receive in their reproaches is like death. The word rendered “sword” - רצח retsach - means properly killing, slaying, breaking in pieces, crushing.

Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 42:10

10. With a sword in my bones—The reproaches of my enemies pierce me to the bones like a dagger, or they are as a crushing “in my bones.”

Sermons on Psalms 42:10

	Sermon	Description
	Towards the Unity of God's People by A.R. Main	In this sermon, the preacher delves into the meaning of 'insult' (oneidizo) in the Bible, which involves abusive words, slander, reviling, and unjustly finding fault in a way that
	When God Hides His Face From the Righteous by Jack Hyles	In this sermon, the preacher discusses why God sometimes turns his back and hides his face from us. One reason is that God wants us to learn to depend on Him more. The preacher sha
	Psalm 42 by Henry Law	Henry Law preaches about the theme of rejection and distress in the hymn, emphasizing the longing for God's presence and the joy found in worship. The believer is encouraged to see
	Spiritual Burdens and Worry Weights by A.W. Tozer	A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between spiritual burdens and mere irritations that can arise in the life of a Christian. He warns that Christians must be vi
	Comfort & Joy: The Mourner's Privilege by Thomas Watson	Thomas Watson preaches about the significance of mourning as a pathway to solid joy in the Christian life. He emphasizes that holy mourning leads to the sweetest joy, comparing it
	A Burning Heart by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the preacher references various verses from the Bible, including Jeremiah chapter 4 and Joel chapter 1. He emphasizes the need for repentance and laments the state
	Weeping Between Porch and the Altar by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the speaker contrasts the superficiality of modern Christian gatherings with the deep devotion and sacrifice of believers in the past. He highlights the story of a