Psalm 42:5
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.”
KJV
Read in Psalm 42Meaning
The speaker asks the downcast, disturbed soul why it is cast down and tells it to hope in God for future praise; this is faithful self-address, not an order to instantly stop feeling pain.
Thirst, tears, remembered worship, and hope
Verses 1–5 move from longing for the living God through tears and remembered public worship to the first refrain of hope.
Read carefully
The speaker asks the downcast, disturbed soul why it is cast down and tells it to hope in God for future praise; this is faithful self-address, not an order to instantly stop feeling pain.
Reflection
The speaker asks the downcast, disturbed soul why it is cast down and tells it to hope in God for future praise; this is faithful self-address, not an order to instantly stop feeling pain.