Psalms 42:7

7 Deep calls to deep at the thunder of your cataracts; all your waves and your billows have gone over me.

Psalms 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 ) .

Psalms 42:7 In-Context

5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help

6 and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.

7 Deep calls to deep at the thunder of your cataracts; all your waves and your billows have gone over me.

8 By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.

9 I say to God, my rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I walk about mournfully because the enemy oppresses me?"