On Psalms 42 and 43

Ps 42 and 43 could be applied to persecuted believers, such as those who will live before the second coming of the Lord. Because of their troubles, they will long so much to see one of the days of the Lord.

(Lk 17:22) Then He said to the disciples, "The days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it.

(Ps 42:1) To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
(Ps 42:2) My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

(1Co 13:12)MKJV For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. ...

(Ps 42:3)MKJV My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day, Where is your God?

The faith of the believers will be mocked because of their troubles. Jesus himself faced this kind of reproach on the cross: "He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God" (Mt 27:43).

(Ps 42:4)MKJV When I remember these things, I pour out my soul on me; for I had gone with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God with the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping the feast.

About going to the house of God, it is known that the temple will be present during the last days.

(Ps 42:5)MKJV Why are you cast down, O my soul, and moan within me? Hope in God; for I shall praise Him for the salvation of His face.
(Ps 42:6) O my God, my soul is cast down within me; therefore I will remember You from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermons, from mount Mizar.

The territory and mountains mentioned in the previous verse could be related to the following verse. "But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains" (Mk 13:14).

(Ps 42:7) Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

The "deep" can refer to seas or to underground waters. The word translated "waterspouts" is the plural of a word meaning "spout, water conduit, ... ". Since the statement "all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me" appears to be figurative, "deep" can also be taken figuratively, as referring to a mass of troubles. Then, "deep calleth unto deep" would refer to troubles that call (that is, bring) other troubles while "the noise of thy waterspouts" would refer to the fact that these "waters" come from God, for nothing can happen without his permission. Troubles may come when God judges wickedness or when he grants permission to the enemy to bring them.

(Ps 42:8) 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.
(Ps 42:9) I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
(Ps 42:10) As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?

A word-for-word translation of the Hebrew phrase for "As with a sword in my bones" would be "In slaying in my bones". Taking this phrase figuratively, it does not speak about harm that is caused inwardly to the soul of the believer, for the Lord protects him at all times, even when he does not appear to be near. Indeed, "ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish" (Lk 21:17-18). Moreover, "He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken" (Ps 34:20). Therefore, since the psalm speaks about inward pain caused by difficult circumstances, verse 10 could also be interpreted as speaking about the pain caused by the reproach of the enemies. This pain is likened in verse 10 to the pain caused by a slaying weapon that reaches to the bones. (As for translating רצח with "slaying", we could note that the word is related to the verb רצח "to slay" and that the meaning "slaying" fits Eze 21:22 (21:27), which is the only other passage in which the form רצח is interpreted as a noun; in Eze 21:22 (21:27) the word appears in the context of orders from the king of Babylon to slay people.)

(Ps 42:11)NKJV Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.

Literally, the Hebrew word translated "help" means "salvation". Related to Ps 42:11 is Is 40:31: "they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength ... ".

(Ps 43:1) Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.

During the last days, believers will live among the people described in 2Ti 3:1-5, the sort of people that one should normally avoid (2Ti 3:5).

(Ps 43:2) For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

Believers facing a time of testing might pray as above. The questions "why dost thou cast me off?" and "why go I mourning ... ?" may reveal discouragement. "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy" (1Pt 4:12-13). " ... no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know" (1Th 3:3-4). Severe testing should not be confused with God's discipline. On the one hand, very faithful people may face severe testing. On the other hand, God disciplines his people as a father, therefore not excessively. However, even in times of testing a believer should examine himself and see whether there is something in him that helps the enemy: "see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Ps 139:24).

(Ps 43:3) O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.

The word translated "hill" is the word commonly used to denote mountains.

(Ps 43:4) Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.

(Ps 43:5)NKJV Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.

Since the word for "help" literally means "salvation", the verse above is also related to Ps 118:14: "The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation".


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