THE FORTY-SECOND PSALM.

To the Chief Musician, Maschil, for the Sons of Korah.

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

The following is an excellent poetical paraphrase of the Psalm, by Bishop Lowth:—

"As pants the wearied hart for cooling springs,

That sinks exhausted in the summer's chase;

So pants my longing soul, great King of kings!

So thirsts to reach Thy sacred dwelling-place.

"On briny tears my famish'd soul hath fed,

While taunting foes deride my deep despair;

'Say, where is now thy Great Deliverer fled,

Thy mighty God, deserted wanderer, where?'

"Oft dwell my thoughts on those thrice happy days,

When to Thy fane I led the willing throng;

Our mirth was worship, all our pleasure praise,

And festal joys still closed with sacred song.

"Why throb, my heart? why sink, my saddening soul,

Why droop to earth, with various foes oppress'd?

My years shall yet in blissful circles roll,

And peace be yet an inmate of this breast.

"By Jordan's banks with devious steps I stray,

O'er Hermon's rugged rocks and deserts dear:

E'en there Thy hand shall guide my lonely way,

There Thy remembrance shall my spirit cheer.

"In rapid floods the vernal torrents roll,

Harsh sounding cataracts responsive roar;

Thine angry billows overwhelm my soul,

And dash my shatter'd bark from shore to shore.

"Yet Thy sure mercies ever in my sight,

My heart shall gladden through the tedious day;

And 'midst the dark and gloomy shades of night,

To Thee I'll fondly tune the grateful lay.

"Rock of my hope! great Solace of my heart!

Why, why desert the offspring of Thy care,

While taunting foes thus point th' invidious dart,

'Where is thy God, abandon'd wanderer, where?'

"Why faint, my soul? why doubt Jehovah's aid?

Thy God the God of mercy still shall prove;

Within His courts thy thanks shall yet be paid,

Unquestion'd be His pity and His love."

INTRODUCTORY.
PAGE
I.THE SCENE OF THE PSALM,[2]
II.THE GENERAL SCOPE OF THE PSALM,[10]
III.A PECULIAR EXPERIENCE,[24]
CONTENTS OF THE PSALM.
I.THE HART PANTING,[36]
II.THE HART WOUNDED,[46]
III.THE LIVING GOD,[60]
IV.THE TAUNT,[78]
V.THE TAUNT,[90]
VI.SABBATH MEMORIES,[102]
VII.HOPE,[122]
VIII.THE HILL MIZAR,[141]
IX.THE CLIMAX,[166]
X.LESSONS,[180]
XI.FAITH AND PRAYER,[192]
XII.THE QUIET HAVEN,[212]