Psalms 42:2
“My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?”
Psalms 42:2 in 8 translations
- KJVKing James Version
- My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
- DRADouay–Rheims
- My soul hath thirsted after the strong living God; when shall I come and appear before the face of God?
- ASVAmerican Standard Version
- My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: When shall I come and appear before God?
- DARBYDarby
- My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
- WEBThe World English Bible
- My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
- YLTYoung's Literal Translation
- My soul thirsted for God, for the living God, When do I enter and see the face of God?
- BPVBiblePics Version
- My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When will I come and stand before God?
- BPVBiblePics Version
- My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When will I come and stand before God?
Context: Psalms 42
1{To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.} As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
2My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
3My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
4When 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.
About Psalms 42: Longing for God's Presence
Psalm 42 expresses the Psalmist's deep longing for God's presence and his struggle with feelings of despair and alienation. The Psalmist recalls past times when he worshiped God with others and cries out to God for help and deliverance from his enemies.
Commentary
Psalm 42 is a powerful expression of the human experience of longing for God's presence. The Psalmist's words resonate with those who have also felt a sense of spiritual dryness or separation from God. The Psalmist's honesty about his feelings of sadness and loneliness is a reminder that it is okay for believers to share their struggles and doubts with God. Despite the Psalmist's feelings of despair, he never doubts God's goodness or mercy. Instead, he declares his faith in God's steadfast love and trusts that God will provide comfort and guidance. This Psalm is a beautiful example of how to find hope in the midst of difficulty by turning to God in prayer and worship.