Psalm 42:2

2 My soul ¹thirsts for God, for the ²living God; When shall I come and ³appear 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 the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants 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 things I remember and I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go along with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God, With the voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival.

5 Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 63:1; Psalms 84:2; Psalms 143:6
• 2. Joshua 3:10; Psalms 84:2; Jeremiah 10:10; Daniel 6:26; Matthew 26:63; Romans 9:26; 1 Thessalonians 1:9
• 3. Exodus 23:17; Psalms 43:4; Psalms 84:7

Footnotes

• [a] Some mss read "see the face of God"