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    Psalms 42 (KJV)

    Read Psalms chapter 42 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

    Psalms 42

    Deep Verse Commentaries in This Chapter

    Psalm 42:1

    "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my so…"

    Psalm 42:5

    "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquiet…"

    Popular Verses in Psalms 42

    Most searched verses from this chapter, with KJV text and context.

    Psalm 42:1 KJV

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    Psalm 42:11 KJV

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    Psalms 42 Summary

    Psalm 42 is the desperate cry of a soul separated from God's presence and drowning in sorrow. Written by the Sons of Korah, the psalmist opens with one of Scripture's most vivid images of spiritual longing: 'As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.' He thirsts for the living God and remembers past worship experiences with aching nostalgia.

    Three times the psalmist asks himself the same question: 'Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me?' And three times he answers with the same self-counsel: 'Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him.' Tears are his food day and night, waves and billows roll over him, yet he preaches hope to his own despairing heart. The psalm models honest lament combined with stubborn faith.

    Key Themes

    Spiritual ThirstDepression and HopeSelf-CounselLonging for God

    Key Verses in Psalms 42

    "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God."

    — Psalms 42:1

    The Bible's most vivid image of spiritual longing — desperate desire for God like a deer dying of thirst.

    "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."

    — Psalms 42:5

    The psalmist models talking to himself instead of listening to himself — preaching hope to his own soul.

    "Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me."

    — Psalms 42:7

    A powerful expression of overwhelming sorrow — yet even in the depths, God's love is mentioned in the next verse.

    Life Application

    Psalm 42 gives you permission to be honest about depression and spiritual dryness — and it models what to do: preach to yourself. Don't just listen to your feelings; talk back to them with truth. 'Hope in God' is a command you give yourself when emotions say otherwise.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is it okay for Christians to feel depressed?

    Psalm 42 proves that deep sorrow and faith coexist. The psalmist is cast down, weeping, and overwhelmed — yet he fights back with self-counsel to hope in God. The Bible doesn't shame emotional pain; it models honest expression combined with active trust.

    What does 'deep calls to deep' mean?

    It's an image of overwhelming trouble — like ocean depths churning and calling to one another. The psalmist feels wave after wave crashing over him. Some also see it positively: the depth of human longing reaching toward the depth of God's love.

    Psalm 42 Commentary & Reflection

    Lament
    Yearning, honest

    Best read for: Spiritual dryness, depression, longing for God

    Overview of Psalm 42: As the Deer Pants for Water

    Psalm 42 expresses deep spiritual longing through the vivid image of a deer panting for streams of water. The psalmist is separated from the temple and taunted by enemies asking 'Where is your God?' Yet in the midst of depression and tears, he preaches to his own soul: 'Hope thou in God.' It's a raw, honest psalm about spiritual dryness and the choice to hope.

    Key Themes

    Spiritual Longing
    Depression
    Hope
    Self-Talk

    Key Verses to Remember

    “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.”
    — Psalm 42:1 (KJV)
    “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 (KJV)

    Reflection

    This psalm validates spiritual dryness as a real experience — even for the faithful. Notice how the psalmist talks to himself rather than listening to himself. When your soul is downcast, what truths do you need to preach to yourself?

    Historical Context

    Written by the Sons of Korah—Levitical musicians descended from the rebel Korah whose sons were spared (Numbers 26:11)—this psalm is the cry of an exile far from Jerusalem's temple. The 'deep calling to deep' imagery comes from waterfalls near the Jordan River's headwaters in the north, where cascading rapids create a roaring conversation between water and rock.

    How to Apply Psalm 42 Today

    The psalm's refrain—'Why are you cast down, O my soul?'—models talking to yourself rather than listening to yourself. When depression, anxiety, or spiritual dryness sets in, don't passively receive your emotions' narrative. Actively preach truth to your soul: 'Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him.'

    A Prayer from Psalm 42

    As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for the living God. Why are you cast down, O my soul? Why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance. Deep calls to deep—Your waves and billows have gone over me, but the Lord will command His loving-kindness. Amen.

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