Psalm 42
Psalm 42 Meaning
Psalm 42 gives voice to spiritual thirst and depression together. Like a deer panting for streams, the psalmist's soul thirsts for God, while his tears have been his food day and night and people ask where his God is.
Twice he speaks to his own downcast soul, urging it to hope in God, whom he will yet praise. It is honest about the darkness and stubborn about hope at the same time.
Key verses from Psalm 42
“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.”
Psalm 42:1
“My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?”
Psalm 42:2
“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.”
Psalm 42:5
“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.”
Psalm 42:11
How Psalm 42 points to Jesus
Jesus is the living water for whom the thirsty soul longs and the God whose face we seek. In our own downcast hours He teaches us to hope, for we will yet praise Him.