Psalms 42

Psalms 42:1-2

As water from a brook sustains a deer physically, so God Himself sustains people spiritually (cf. John 4:14). The psalmist was thirsty for God. He could not obtain the refreshment he needed yet, but he looked forward to finding it soon.

Psalms 42:3-4

Rather than drinking from God, he had to drink the water of his own tears. God was not providing for his needs just then. The writer remembered with great delight the times when he found spiritual refreshment at the sanctuary in Jerusalem, but he was not able to return there yet.

Psalms 42:5

The psalmist encouraged himself rhetorically by reminding himself that he would again praise God. He needed to continue to hope in God until then.

Psalms 42:6

The psalmist was far from Jerusalem and the central sanctuary. Evidently he was near the Hermon range of mountains that stood north of the Sea of Chinnereth (Galilee). The Jordan Valley is quite wide north of this sea and the mountains of Hermon rise up to the east from it. Mount Mizar is one of the hills in that area. It was a long way from Mount Zion where the ark dwelt in David’s day.

Psalms 42:7

The writer viewed his troubles like waves cascading down on him, as if he were standing under a waterfall. He compared the noise of the waves to his troubles, that he personified as calling to one another to come and overwhelm him.

Psalms 42:8

Nevertheless he believed God would remain loyal to him. In the daytime the Lord would pour out His love to the psalmist, and in the night he would respond by praising God. “God’s continual love is a comfort for the soul continually beset by questions and mourning (cf. Psalms 42:3).” [Note: VanGemeren, p. 334.

Psalms 42:9-10

In his prayer, he would also ask God the reason for his continuing physical and emotional distress. The repeated taunt of his enemies would hopefully move God to deliver him (cf. Psalms 42:3).

Psalms 42:11

Again the psalmist encouraged himself with the rhetorical refrain (cf. Psalms 42:5). When spiritually dry, we who are believers should remind ourselves that God is sufficient for all our needs. This remembrance will encourage us to continue to trust Him while we go through temporarily distressing periods. [Note: See Swindoll, pp. 118-29.