Psalm 42:7

7 Deep calls to deep at the voice of thy cataracts: all thy billows and thy waves have gone over me.

Psalm 42:7 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 42:7

Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of the water spouts
By which are meant afflictions, comparable to the deep waters of the sea, for their multitude and overwhelming nature; see ( Psalms 69:1 Psalms 69:2 ) ( Isaiah 43:2 ) ; these came pouring down, one after another, upon the psalmist: as soon as one affliction over, another came, as in the case of Job; which is signified by one calling to another, and were clamorous, troublesome, and very grievous and distressing;

all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me:
with which he seemed to be covered and overwhelmed, as a ship is at sea. It may be observed, that the psalmist calls afflictions God's water spouts, and "his" waves and "his" billows; because they are appointed, sent, ordered, and overruled by him, and made to work for the good of his people: and now, though these might seem to be a just cause of dejection, yet they were not, as appears from ( Psalms 42:8 ) .

Psalm 42:7 In-Context

5 Wherefore art thou very sad, O my soul? and wherefore dost thou trouble me? hope in God; for I will give thanks to him; he is the salvation of my countenance.

6 O my God, my soul has been troubled within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Ermonites, from the little hill.

7 Deep calls to deep at the voice of thy cataracts: all thy billows and thy waves have gone over me.

8 By day the Lord will command his mercy, and manifest it by night: with me is prayer to the God of my life.

9 I will say to God, Thou art my helper; why hast thou forgotten me? wherefore do I go sad of countenance, while the enemy oppresses me?