02.042. Psalm 42

Psalms 42:1-11 To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.

Perhaps this psalm was composed by David, when the unnatural rebellion of Absalom had forced him from the sanctuary of God, and to take up his lodging eastward of Jordan, 2 Samuel 15:13-19. We have in it, (1.) Ardent longings after nearness to, and familiar intimacy with God, in his public ordinances and sanctuary, Psalms 42:1-2. (2.) Mournful lamentations and bitter groanings on account of God’s withdrawing his comfortable smiles; of the want of the once-enjoyed ordinances of God, and fellowship with his saints; of the depressing impressions of God’s wrath; and of his enemies’ insolent upbraiding of him on account of the departure and distance of his God, Psalms 42:3-4, Psalms 42:6-7, Psalms 42:9-10. (3.) Believing remembrance of God’s former favours, Psalms 42:6; and self-encouraging hopes of future ones, Psalms 42:5, Psalms 42:8, Psalms 42:11. Have I experimentally understood all these things? My soul, let me charge thee to beware of dissimulation with God, and of compassing him about with lies, under pretence of praising him. Dare not to sing these lines without inward, without ardent longings for the Lord; without earnest claiming of him as thy own God, upon the foundation of his new-covenant grant of himself to me in the gospel; without assured hopes of his future, his everlasting kindness to me-ward.