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]
Textedit
Hebrewedit
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 Versionedit
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).
Referencesedit
^"Book 2: Chapters 42–72". Chabad.org. 2018. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
^Rodd, C. S., 18. Psalms in Barton, J. and Muddiman, J. (2001), The Oxford Bible Commentary Archived November 22, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, p. 360
^Nova Vulgata: Psalm 42 (41), accessed 28 September 2020
^Parallel Latin/English Psalter / Psalmus 41 (42) Archived May 7, 2017, at the Wayback Machine medievalist.net
^ abAbramowitz, Rabbi Jack (2018). "Psalms – Chapter 42". Orthodox Union. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
^Nathan, Jonathan (2021). "The Meaning and Syntax of taʿărōg". Vetus Testamentum. 71 (4–5): 665–672. doi:10.1163/15685330-00001142. S2CID 235524962.
^Nulman, Macy (1996). The Encyclopedia of Jewish Prayer: The Ashkenazic and Sephardic Rites. Jason Aronson. p. 209. ISBN 1461631246.
^ abBrauner, Reuven (2013). "Shimush Pesukim: Comprehensive Index to Liturgical and Ceremonial Uses of Biblical Verses and Passages" (PDF) (2nd ed.). p. 37.
^Weintraub, Rabbi Simkha Y. (2018). "Psalms as the Ultimate Self-Help Tool". My Jewish Learning. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
^Greenbaum, Rabbi Avraham (2007). "The Ten Psalms: English Translation". azamra.org. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
^"Categories". dailytehillim.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2018. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
^Kirkpatrick, A. F. (1895). The Book of Psalms: with Introduction and Notes. Books II and III: Psalms XLII-LXXXIX. The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges. Vol. 16. Cambridge: At the University Press. p. 229. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
^Kirkpatrick, A. F. (1901). The Book of Psalms: with Introduction and Notes. Books IV and V: Psalms XC-CL. The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges. Cambridge: At the University Press. p. 838. ISBN 9780243829507. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
^"Master of The King's Music, Judith Weir CBE composes new work for the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II". wisemusicclassical.com. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
^"The State Funeral and Committal Service for Her Majesty The Queen". The Royal Family. September 15, 2022. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
^"K'ayal Ta'arog". Zemirot Database. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
^"Heichal Neginah" (in Hebrew). chassidus.com. 2004. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
^Tori Kelly Premieres "Psalm 42". Herb Longs, The Christian Beat. 09 September 2018.
Further readingedit
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. ISBN 9783525533833.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Psalm 42.
Wikisource has original text related to this article:
Psalms Chapter 42 text in Hebrew and English, mechon-mamre.org
Psalm 42 – The Assurance of those Who Trust in God text and detailed commentary, enduringword.com
For the leader. A maskil of the Korahites. / As the deer longs for streams of water text and footnotes, usccb.org United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Psalm 42:1 introduction and text, biblestudytools.com
Psalm 42 / As the deer longs for the water brooks, so longs my soul for you, O God. Church of England
Psalm 42 at biblegateway.com
Hymns for Psalm 42 hymnary.org
Recording of a traditional Jewish melody for verses 2 and 3 on Zemirot Database