DAWN

     Explanation: In Psalm 42 the Psalmist, presumably David, alternates between depression and hope, closing the Psalm with words of hope. The occasion for the Psalm is unknown; but the two most troublesome times in David's life came at the hands of Saul and of Absalom. David learned much about trusting God during his persecution by Saul. He may be may be remembering these lessons in the distress he is experiencing in this Psalm. And this distress may be coming from Absalom's coup. Whatever the case, the painting above depicts the kind of tranquility for which David longs.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: Psalm 43. Psalm 18. 1 Samuel 19-31. 2 Samuel 15-18. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: General. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). Psalm 42 - #1. Psalm 42 - #2. Psalm 42 - #3. Psalm 42 - #4.Psalm 42 - #5. Psalm 42 - #6. Psalm 42 - #7. Psalm 42 - #8. ]

     David says that he longs for God like a deer which thirsts for water (1-2). His desire was increased by the mockery of his enemies who asked him where his God was. His soul felt drained when he remembered how he had gone with the multitude to the house of God, joyful and filled with praise, observing the holy days (3-4). So he askd his soul why it was cast down and disquieted. He encouraged himself to hope in God because he would yet praise him for the help of his countenance (5). He told God about his downcast soul; and he promised to remember him from far away. He compared his affliction to being in a sea with waves and billows going over him (6-7). But he expressed his trust that the LORD's would send his lovingkindness to him, giving him a song in the night, and receiving his prayer. But immediately his depression returned, and he asked the LORD why he had forgotten him and why he went mourning because of the oppression of the enemy. He said that the reproach of his enemies was like a sword in his bones when they mockingly asked him where his God was (8-10). But, again, he encouraged himself to hope in God because he would yet praise God (11).

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
² My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

³ My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
⁴ 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.

⁵ Why art thou cast down, O my soul?
and why art thou disquieted in me?
hope thou in God:
for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

⁶ O my God, my soul is cast down within me:
therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
⁷ Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts:
all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

⁸ Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime,
and in the night his song shall be with me,
and my prayer unto the God of my life.
⁹ I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me?
why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
¹⁰ As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me;
while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?

¹¹ Why art thou cast down, O my soul?
and why art thou disquieted within me?
hope thou in God:
for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]