Psalm 42 is the 42nd psalm of the
Book of Psalms, often known in English by its
incipit, "As the hart panteth after the water brooks" (in the
King James Version). The Book of Psalms is part of the
third section of the
Hebrew Bible, and a book of the
ChristianOld Testament. In the Hebrew Bible, Psalm 42 opens the
second of the five books (divisions) of Psalms,[1] also known as the "Elohistic Psalter" because the word
YHWH is rarely used and God is generally referred to as "
Elohim".[2]
In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek
Septuagint version of the bible, and generally in its Latin translations, this psalm is Psalm 41, although the
Nova Vulgata translation follows the Hebrew numbering.[3] The psalm is a
hymn psalm. It is one of twelve psalms attributed to the
sons of Korah.
While the psalm is attributed to the "
sons of Korah", the text is written in the
first person singular.[5] The psalm can be divided into two parts, each ending with the same line (verses 6 and 12 in the Hebrew).[6]
The psalmist bemoans all the troubles he has endured in his exile and prays for salvation.[5] He laments his remoteness from the
temple of
God and expresses his desire for the renewal of the
divine presence.[6]Matthew Henry speculates that David might have composed this psalm when he was prevented from returning to the sanctuary in Jerusalem, either due to persecution by
Saul or because of
Absalom's revolt.[7]
Some ancient Hebrew manuscripts have this Psalm combined with
Psalm 43,[8] and C. S. Rodd argues on account of "similarities of thought and language" that these two psalms were originally one.[9]
Text
Hebrew
The following table shows the Hebrew text[10][11] of the Psalm with vowels alongside an English translation based upon the
JPS 1917 translation (now in the
public domain).
These things I remember, and pour out my soul within me, how I passed on with the throng, and led them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping holyday.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why moanest thou within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the salvation of my countenance, and my God.
King James Version
As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
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.
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.
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.
Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
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.
I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
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.
The interpretation of the psalm's opening has been disputed for centuries. Jonathan Nathan argues that the traditional translation ("As the hart panteth after the water brooks") is based on an ancient but unsupported guess about the meaning of the rare Hebrew word תַּעֲרֹג. A better interpretation might be: "As you [God] turn a deer towards streams of water, so do you turn my soul towards yourself".[12]
In the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer, the text begins "Like as a hart". The psalm is appointed to be read on the evening of the eighth day of the month.[29]
Loys Bourgeois used the tune for this psalm as a basis for the
chorale tune 'Freu dich sehr o meine Seele'.
Heinrich Schütz wrote a setting of a paraphrase in German, "Gleich wie ein Hirsch eilt mit Begier",
SWV 139, for the Becker Psalter, published first in 1628.
^Verse 5 in English bible numbering, or verse 6 in Hebrew bible numbering, contains ἵνα τί περίλυπος εἶ, ἡ ψυχή, "why are you cast down, O my soul" (ESV).
^Gospels of Matthew and Mark note in Greek that Jesus says, περίλυπός ἐστιν ἡ ψυχή μου, "my soul is exceeding sorrowful" (KJV)
^Verse 6 in English bible numbering, or verse 7 in Hebrew bible numbering, contains ἡ ψυχή μου ἐταράχθη, "my soul is cast down within me" (ESV)
^Gospel of John notes in Greek that Jesus says ἡ ψυχή μου τετάρακται, "my soul (is) troubled" (ESV).
Olofsson, Staffan (2011). As a deer longs for flowing streams: a study of the Septuagint version of Psalm 42-43 in its relation to the Hebrew text. De Septuaginta investigationes. Vol. 1. Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht.
ISBN9783525533833.