Psalm 42

In this psalm, the psalmist speaks about his desire for the living God. Some folks are satisfied with religion and the little aesthetics touch them or the rules. But there are some who reach a place where they thirst for a living god who can be spoken to and whose love can be felt.

There are all these multitude who keep holy day and yet do they really seek the living God?

In this psalm the psalmist is saying to his soul: "Why are you cast down?" He's been weepy, but bad enough he has folks around who don't help matters. In this state, deep calls to deep. Something deep within him calls out for the deep things of God.

Psalm 42

1As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
2My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
3My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
4When 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.
5Why 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. 6O 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.
7Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
8Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
9I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
10As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
11Why 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.