As the hart panteth after the water brooks, with an intense desire,
with an overwhelming sense of want, SO PANTETH MY SOUL AFTER THEE, O
GOD, who is often set forth as a spring of living water for the
refreshment of the exhausted.... [ Continue Reading ]
AN EXILE'S LONGING FOR ZION.
To the chief musician, for performance in the liturgical part of the
Temple-services, Maschil, a didactic poem, for the sons of Korah,
written by some member of this Levitical family, or organization, 1
Chronicles 6:22, belonging to the Kohathite division of the tribe o... [ Continue Reading ]
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God, the Source of all true
life, who alone is able to restore the soul which finds itself in the
depths of persecution, misery, and sorrow on account of sin. WHEN
SHALL I COME AND APPEAR BEFORE GOD? in the regular acts of worship, at
the times when all the... [ Continue Reading ]
My tears have been my meat, his substitute for food, his daily
portion, DAY AND NIGHT, WHILE THEY, the sneering enemies, CONTINUALLY
SAY UNTO ME, WHERE IS THY GOD? a question which, of course, implied
that God had forsaken him, that he was foolish for placing his
confidence in Jehovah.... [ Continue Reading ]
When I remember these things, recalling the festive processions in
which he has taken part, I POUR OUT MY SOUL IN ME, permitting it to
dissolve in the pain which was filling him with misery; FOR I HAD GONE
WITH THE MULTITUDE, it had been his custom to take his place in the
procession, I WENT WITH TH... [ Continue Reading ]
Why art thou cast down, bowed to the ground, O MY SOUL, AND WHY ART
THOU DISQUIETED, full of unrest and despondency, IN ME? No matter,
however, what the affliction may be, there is one certain comfort.
HOPE THOU IN GOD, waiting steadfastly and confidently for His help;
FOR I SHALL YET PRAISE HIM FOR... [ Continue Reading ]
O my God, my soul is cast down within me, in utter dejection;
THEREFORE, namely, to find new comfort in spite of this feeling of
hopelessness, WILL I REMEMBER THEE, his thoughts going back to the
Sanctuary of Jehovah, FROM THE LAND OF JORDAN, from the country east
of Jordan, where the exiled poet wa... [ Continue Reading ]
Deep calleth unto deep, with the confused noise of deep waters in
mighty agitation, AT THE NOISE OF THY WATERSPOUTS, when floods or
cataracts of water come like a deluge; ALL THY WAVES AND THY BILLOWS
ARE GONE OVER ME, the floods of his sorrow, as sent by God,
overwhelmed him. But even while the poe... [ Continue Reading ]
Yet the Lord will command His loving-kindness in the daytime, a
morning of salvation following the night of sorrow, AND IN THE NIGHT
HIS SONG SHALL BE WITH ME, the excitement of his joy keeping him awake
to intone psalms of praise to Jehovah, his state of mind being one of
constant happiness, AND MY... [ Continue Reading ]
I will say unto God, my Rock, a specimen of his prayer being given
here, WHY HAST THOU FORGOTTEN ME? WHY GO I MOURNING, in deep grief and
sorrow, BECAUSE OF THE OPPRESSION OF THE ENEMY, with its excruciating
pain?... [ Continue Reading ]
As with a sword in my bones mine enemies reproach me, with cruel
taunts; WHILE THEY SAY DAILY UNTO ME, WHERE IS THY GOD? Their mockery
is blasphemous, for they not only decry the hope of the believer as
foolish, but deny the very existence of a God who would help the
afflicted in his troubles. And s... [ Continue Reading ]
Why art thou cast down, O my soul, and why art thou disquieted, tossed
and agitated like an angry sea, WITHIN ME? HOPE THOU IN GOD; FOR I
SHALL YET PRAISE HIM, WHO IS THE HEALTH OF MY COUNTENANCE, his Help
and Deliverance, who cheers him and drives away the clouds of sorrow
from his face, AND MY GOD... [ Continue Reading ]