Psalm 42

Psalm 42


To the leader.A A MaskilB of the Korahites.C

Notes on superscript

C “Korahites” = ben + Qorah. Literally “sons of Korah.” Ben is son, age, child. It is son in a literal or figurative sense. Qorah is from qarach (to shave bald, perhaps frozen). This is Korah, perhaps meaning “bald” or “ice.”

As a deerD longsE for flowingF streams,G
    so my soulH longs for you, O God.I

Notes on verse 1

D “deer” = ayyal. 11x in OT. From the same as ulam (porch, hall); from the same as ul (mighty, strength, body, belly; root may mean to twist and that implies strength and power); from alam (to bind or tie fast; to be silent or speechless, whether voluntary or involuntary) or from ayil (strength; things that are strong or powerful: political chiefs, rams, posts, trees, oaks). This is deer, hart. It can symbolize leaping, looking for pasture or sustenance. It can also be used to refer to princes.
E “longs” = arag. 3x in OT – 2x in Psalm 42 & 1x in Joel 1 of wild animals crying out to God when their water sources dry up. This is panting, longing, or crying.
F “flowing” = aphiq. 19x in OT. From aphaq (to be strong, force, control, hold). This is a channel, brook, stream, tube, river. It is something that contains so it is a tube or valley where a stream is. It can also be something strong or a hero.
I “God” = Elohim.

My soul thirstsJ for God,
    for the livingK God.L

Notes on verse 2a

J “thirsts” = tsame. 10x in OT. This is to thirst in a literal or figurative sense.
L “God” = El. Related to “God” in v2. See note I above.

When shall I come and beholdM
    the faceN of God?O

Notes on verse 2b

M “behold” = raah. This is to see in a literal or figurative sense so stare, advise, think, view.
O “God” = Elohim. Same as “God” in v2. See note I above.

My tearsP have been my foodQ
    day and night,R
while people say to me continually,S
    “Where is your God?”T

Notes on verse 3

S “continually” = kol + yom. Literally “all day.”

These things I remember,U
    as I pourV out my soul:
how I wentW with the throng,X

Notes on verse 4a

V “pour” = shaphak. This is to pour out, gust, or slip. It can be to pour as blood, a drink offering, or molten metal. It can also mean to create a mound. Figuratively, it can refer to killing, or spending money.
X “throng” = sak. 1x in OT. From sakak (to weave or knit together). This is a throng, crowd, or multitude.

    and led them in processionY to the houseZ of God,AA

Notes on verse 4b

Y “led…in procession” = dadah. 2x in OT. This is to wander, walk softly, move slowly. So, it could also refer to one who leads a procession.

with gladBB shoutsCC and songs of thanksgiving,DD
    a multitudeEE keeping festival.FF

Notes on verse 4c

EE “multitude” = hamon. From hamah (to growl, cry out, be moved, murmur, hum, mourn, rage, clamor). This is a sound, noise, roar, rumbling, wealth, crowd, disquietude.
FF “keeping festival” = chagag. 16x in OT. This is feast, celebrating a festival, making a pilgrimage. Properly, it means going in a circle or marching in sacred procession. It implies giddiness and dancing. It can also mean reeling to and fro.

Why are you cast down,GG O my soul,
    and why are you disquietedHH within me?
HopeII in God;JJ

Notes on verse 5a

GG “cast down” = shachach. This is to sink, bow down, bring low, be humbled, sing softly.
HH “disquieted” = hamah. Related to “multitude” in v4. See note EE above.

for I shall again praiseKK him,LL
    my helpMM and my God.NN

Notes on verses 5b-6a

KK “praise” = yadah. Related to “songs of thanksgiving” in v4. See note DD above.
LL “him” = paneh. Same as “face” in v2. See note N above.

My soul is cast down within me;
    therefore I remember you
from the landOO of JordanPP and of Hermon,QQ
    from Mount Mizar.RR

Notes on verse 6b

QQ “Hermon” = Chermonim. 1x in OT. From Chermon (Hermon, meaning “sacred mountain” or “abrupt”); from charam (to devote or onsecrate; it cou be a ban – devoted for a religious purpose and to be destroyed as part of worship; so also cursed, destruction, forfeit; also, having a flat nose). This is Hermons or Hermonites.
RR “Mizar” = Mitsar. 1x in OT. From tsasr (to be brought low, small, little one; figuratively, be insignificant or ignoble) OR from the same as mits’ar (something small, insignificant, petty, short time); from tsaar (see above). This is Mizar, a mountain.

DeepSS callsTT to deep
    at the thunderUU of your cataracts;VV
all your wavesWW and your billowsXX
    have gone over me.

Notes on verse 7

UU “thunder” = qol. Same as “shouts” in v4. See note CC above.
VV “cataracts” = tsinnur. 2x in OT. Root may mean to be hollow. This is a gutter, pipe, or waterspout. It can also mean modest.
WW “waves” = mishbar. 5x in OT. From shabar (break, collapse, destroy, break in pieces, tear; bursting in a literal or figurative sense). This is a breaker or wave in the water.
XX “billows” = gal. From galal (to roll, roll away, wallow, commit, remove; rolling in a literal or figurative sense). This is a wave, billow, rock pile, something rolled, a spring of water.

By day the LordYY commandsZZ his steadfast love,AAA

Notes on verse 8a


    and at night his song is with me,
    a prayerBBB to the GodCCC of my life.DDD

Notes on verse 8b

CCC “God” = El. Same as “God” in v2. See note L above.
DDD “life” = chay. Same as “living” in v2. See note K above.

I say to God,EEE my rock,FFF
    “Why have you forgottenGGG me?

Notes on verse 9a

FFF “rock” = sela. Root may mean being lofty. This is a rock, cliff, crag, mountain. It could be used figuratively for obstinance or to show God as a refuge. It can also more generally mean fortress or stronghold.
GGG “forgotten” = shakach. This is to forget or mislay – it is not knowing because of forgetfulness or inattentiveness.

Why must I walk aboutHHH mournfullyIII
    because the enemyJJJ oppressesKKK me?”

Notes on verse 9b

III “mournfully” = qadar. 17x in OT. This is to be dark, grow black. It can be ashy or otherwise having a dark color. It can also imply mourning, wearing sackcloth.
KKK “oppresses” = lachats. 12x in OT. From lachats (to press or squeeze; figuratively, oppress, afflict, or distress). This is oppression or affliction.

10 As with a deadlyLLL woundMMM in my body,
    my adversariesNNN tauntOOO me,
while they say to me continually,PPP
    “Where is your God?”QQQ

Notes on verse 10

LLL “deadly” = retsach. 2x in OT. From ratsach (to dash something to pieces; to kill a person, but particularly, though not exclusively, for murder). This is shattering, crushing, sword. It can be a cry when one is murdered or a sword.
NNN “adversaries” = tsarar. This is to bind, restrict, narrow, be cramped, an adversary.
OOO “taunt” = charaph. This is to expose and so figuratively to reproach, defame, carp at, defy. It can also mean spend the winter or betroth.
PPP “continually” = kol + yom. Literally “all day.”

11 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;RRR for I shall again praise him,
    my help and mySSS God.TTT

Notes on verse 11

SSS “my” = paneh. Same as “face” in v1. See note N above.

Image credit: “Deer in the Snow II” by Franz Marc, 1911.

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