Psalm 42:2

2 My soul thirsts for God, for [the] living God. When shall I come and appear before God?

Psalm 42:2 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 42:2

My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God
Who is so called, in opposition to the idols of the Gentiles, which were lifeless statues; and who is the author, giver, and maintainer of natural life; and who has promised and provided eternal life in his Son; and is himself the fountain of life, and the fountain of living waters, and a place of broad rivers and streams: particularly his lovingkindness, which is better than life, is a pure river of water of life, the streams where make glad the saints; and hence it is that the psalmist thirsted after God, and the discoveries of his love: saying,

when shall I come and appear before God?
meaning, not in heaven, as desiring the beatific vision; but in the tabernacle, where were the worship of God, and the ark, the symbol of the divine Presence, and where the Israelites appeared before him, even in Zion; see ( Psalms 84:7 ) .

Psalm 42:2 In-Context

1 As a deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God.

2 My soul thirsts for God, for [the] living God. When shall I come and appear before God?

3 My tears have been my food day and night, while [they] say to me all day [long], "Where [is] your God?"

4 These I remember and I pour out my soul within me: that I would go with the multitude; I led them [in procession] to the house of God, with a voice of rejoicing and thanksgiving, a crowd celebrating a festival.

5 Why are you {in despair}, O my soul, and disturbed within me? Hope in God, because I will again praise him, [for] the salvation of his presence.

Footnotes

• [a] Some Hebrew manuscripts and versions read "and see the face of God?"