PSALM XLII _The psalmist earnestly longs for the ordinances of the Lord's_ _house_, 1-4; _describes his deep distress_, 5-7; _endeavours to take comfort from the consideration that the Lord_ _would appear in his behalf_, 8, 9; _speaks of the insults of his enemies_, 10; _and again takes encou... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 42:2. _WHEN SHALL I COME_] When, when shall I have the privilege of appearing in his courts _before God_? In the mouth of a _Christian_ these words would import: "_When_ shall I see my heavenly country? _When_ shall I come to God, the Judge of all, and to Jesus, the Mediator of the new... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 42:3. _MY TEARS HAVE BEEN MY MEAT DAY AND NIGHT_] My longing has been so intense after spiritual blessings, that I have forgotten to take my necessary food; and my sorrow has been so great, that I have had no appetite for any. I feel more for the honour of my God and his truth than for... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 42:4. _WHEN I REMEMBER THESE_ THINGS] Or, _these things I shall_ _remember_. They often occur to me, and sharpen my distressful feelings. My soul is dissolved, becomes weak as water, when I reflect on what I have had, and on what I have lost. Or, _I pour_ _out my soul to myself_ in dee... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 42:5. _WHY ART THOU CAST DOWN, O MY SOUL?_] Bad as the times are, desolate as Jerusalem is, insulting as are our enemies, hopeless as in the sight of man our condition may be, yet there is no room for _despair_. All things are possible to God. We have a promise of restoration; he is as... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 42:6. _O MY GOD, MY SOUL IS CAST DOWN_] It is impossible for me to lighten this load; I am full of discouragements, notwithstanding I labour to hope in thee. _THEREFORE WILL I REMEMBER THEE FROM THE LAND OF JORDAN_] That is, from Judea, this being the chief river of that country. _AND... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 42:7. _DEEP CALLETH UNTO DEEP_] One wave of sorrow rolls on me, impelled by another. There is something _dismal_ in the sound of the original; תהום אל תהום קורא _tehom el tehom kore_; something like "And hollow howlings hung in air." _Thompson's Ellenore_. Or like _Homer's_ well known v... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 42:8. _THE LORD WILL COMMAND_] Every day the Lord will give an especial commission to his loving-kindness to visit me. During the night I shall sing of his mercy and goodness; and alternately mingle my _singing_ with _prayer_ for a continuance of his mercy, and for power to make the bes... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 42:9. _I WILL SAY UNTO GOD MY ROCK_] God, my Fortress and Support. _WHY HAST THOU FORGOTTEN MEAT_] This and the following verse is badly pointed in our Bibles: "Why go I mourning as with a sword in my bones because of the oppression of the enemy? Mine enemies reproach me daily, while t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 42:11. _WHY ART THOU CAST DOWN_] There is no reason why thou shouldst despair. God will appear and release thee and thy brother captives and soon thy sighing and sorrowing shall flee away. Who is _THE HEALTH OF MY COUNTENANCE_] As a healthy state of the constitution shows itself in the... [ Continue Reading ]