Psalm 42 5

Psalm 42:5 kjv

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.

Psalm 42:5 nkjv

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.

Psalm 42:5 niv

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Psalm 42:5 esv

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

Psalm 42:5 nlt

Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again ?
my Savior and

Psalm 42 verses

Psalm 42 5 Meaning

Psalm 42:5 portrays the psalmist’s internal struggle against profound despair and inner turmoil, as his soul questions its own downcast state. Yet, immediately following this raw expression of distress, the psalmist exercises a defiant act of faith, commanding his soul to place its hope firmly in God. This declaration is rooted in the unwavering certainty that, despite present affliction, he will once again experience and voice praise to God, who is identified as his ultimate salvation and his God, or more precisely, the source of deliverance manifest through His very presence. It is a powerful illustration of faith's victory over despondency, demonstrating active spiritual discipline in redirecting emotions toward divine steadfastness.

Psalm 42 5 Context

Psalm 42 is a lament of an individual, likely one of the Sons of Korah, expressing profound yearning for God and His sanctuary, especially amidst feelings of alienation and taunting from enemies. The psalmist finds himself in a distant land (possibly in exile or forced separation from Jerusalem), far from the Temple, and describes his soul "thirsting" for God as a deer pants for water (Ps 42:1-2). His tears have become his food, and he is constantly mocked with the question, "Where is your God?" (Ps 42:3, 10). The historical and cultural background hints at a period of national or personal distress, possibly the Babylonian exile, where access to the central place of worship (the Temple) was denied, leading to spiritual anguish. Within this deeply troubled context, verse 5 represents the psalmist’s courageous internal monologue, a pivotal moment where he arrests his own descent into despair by directly challenging his soul’s negativity and reasserting faith in God’s future intervention and enduring presence, even when not physically present in the sanctuary. This rhetorical questioning and subsequent command to himself form a crucial repeated refrain within Psalms 42 and 43, underscoring the enduring nature of this spiritual battle.

Psalm 42 5 Word analysis

• Why are you cast down, O my soul? (מַה־תִּשְׁתּוֹחֲחִי נַפְשִׁי – mah-tish'tōḥāḥī nafs͟hī)

  • "Why are you cast down": The Hebrew tish'tōḥāḥī comes from the root shaḥaḥ (שָׁחַח), meaning "to bow down," "stoop," "be low," or "be dejected." This word vividly describes not just a feeling, but a physical posture associated with extreme sadness, weakness, or despair, suggesting utter dejection. It's an internal question, indicating self-awareness and self-correction, not an accusation towards God.
  • "O my soul": Nafs͟hī (נַפְשִׁי), from nephesh (נֶפֶשׁ), refers to the entire being – life, self, spirit, personality, or inner core. The psalmist is speaking to himself, his whole inner person, highlighting a deliberate act of self-exhortation rather than passive emotional resignation. This shows faith engaging with raw human emotion.

• and why are you in turmoil within me? (וּמַה־תֶּהֱמִי עָלָי – ū-mah-tehěmī 'ālay)

  • "in turmoil": The Hebrew tehěmī comes from hāmāh (הָמָה), meaning "to rage," "be boisterous," "be agitated," "moan," or "be in commotion." This word depicts an inner unrest, a restless disquiet or agitation within the psalmist's spirit, reflecting confusion, distress, or anxious noise. The combined phrase indicates not only low spirits but an active, disturbing internal commotion.
  • "within me": While the KJV translates this as "in me," the Hebrew 'ālay (עָלָי) literally means "over me" or "concerning me," perhaps implying that his soul is groaning over his circumstances or that the turmoil is a burden upon him.

• Hope in God; (הוֹחִילִי לֵאלֹהִים – hôḥīlī lēlōhīm)

  • "Hope": The imperative verb hôḥīlī comes from yāḥal (יָחַל), which means "to wait patiently," "hope," "look for," "endure," or "trust." It's not a mere passive wish, but an active, purposeful, and disciplined command from the psalmist to his own soul to confidently wait for God's intervention. It implies enduring expectation and patient reliance.
  • "in God": Lēlōhīm (לֵאלֹהִים), emphasizes the object of this hope is the covenant-keeping God, the one true God, who is unchanging and faithful.

• for I shall again praise Him, (כִּי־עוֹד אוֹדֶנּוּ – kī-‘ôd ’ōdénnū)

  • "for I shall again praise Him": Kī means "for" or "surely," establishing a reason. ‘Ôd means "yet," "still," or "again," indicating a future act or resumption of something ceased, thus affirming a certainty of future restoration and praise. ’Ōdénnū is from yādāh (יָדָה), meaning "to thank," "praise," "confess," or "give thanks with outstretched hands." This future-oriented statement is a powerful expression of faith, declaring a sure future reality based on God’s character, not on current feelings or circumstances.

• my salvation and my God. (יְשׁוּעוֹת פָּנָיו אֱלֹהָי – yĕšû‘ôt pānāw ’ĕlōhāy)

  • "my salvation and my God": This phrase reflects how some modern translations harmonize this verse with the identical refrain in Psalm 42:11 and Psalm 43:5. However, a more direct translation of the Masoretic Text for 42:5 itself reads: "for the help/deliverance of His countenance/presence, my God."
  • "the help of His countenance/presence": Yĕšû‘ôt (יְשׁוּעוֹת) means "salvations" or "deliverances," indicating multiple acts of rescue or comprehensive deliverance. Pānāw (פָּנָיו) means "His face" or "His presence." God's "face" is often a metaphor for His favorable disposition, His active attention, His revelation, or His manifest presence bringing blessing and intervention. Thus, it speaks of salvation coming directly through God’s visible favor or active intervention. This reinforces that the source of deliverance is God's intimate and favorable presence.
  • "my God": ’Ĕlōhāy (אֱלֹהָי) underscores the personal relationship the psalmist has with God; it is his God, providing a foundation for trust despite despair. This personal claim signifies intimacy and ownership, reinforcing the basis for his hope.

Psalm 42 5 Bonus section

The thrice-repeated refrain (Psalm 42:5, 42:11, 43:5) emphasizes the psalmist's ongoing spiritual battle and the persistent internal argument of faith against despair. This repetition signifies not just a passing mood, but a recurring wrestling with profound sorrow, where the resolve to hope in God must be continually reaffirmed. The phrase "help of His countenance" (yeshu'ot panav) is deeply theological, echoing the priestly blessing in Numbers 6, where God's "shining face" conveys His favor and blessing, signifying that His very presence is redemptive and salvific. This personal interaction with one's soul models a biblical form of self-counseling, showcasing a proactive mental and spiritual discipline common in ancient Near Eastern wisdom traditions and echoed in Christian thought as an application of "taking every thought captive" (2 Cor 10:5). This Psalm is widely seen by scholars and pastors as a vital guide for addressing anxiety, depression, and spiritual dryness, providing a divine framework for redirecting emotional turmoil towards the immutable character of God. The Sons of Korah, the authors of this Psalm, were Levitical temple musicians and gatekeepers (1 Chr 9:19), perhaps implying a deep longing for their assigned place of worship and service which would intensify their current state of longing and feeling forsaken by God.

Psalm 42 5 Commentary

Psalm 42:5 serves as a profoundly personal spiritual discipline, demonstrating faith's deliberate ascendancy over the overwhelming emotions of despondency and inner unrest. The psalmist begins by giving voice to his distress, candidly addressing his own "soul"—his entire being—questioning the roots of its profound dejection. This open acknowledgement of emotional struggle is critical; it is not about suppressing feelings, but about identifying and challenging their unchecked dominion.

The pivot occurs with the imperative, "Hope in God." This is a forceful, active command to the self, moving beyond passive wishful thinking to a determined act of will. The hope exhorted is not a fleeting emotion but a patient, expectant trust rooted in God’s character and His unfailing faithfulness. This command is buttressed by a declaration of future praise: "for I shall again praise Him." This is a statement of unwavering conviction that, regardless of present circumstances, God's nature guarantees a future restoration that will elicit renewed thanksgiving and worship. The ground for this certainty is who God is to the psalmist—"the help of His countenance/presence, my God"—underscoring that true deliverance comes directly from God’s manifested favor and intimate presence. It highlights that God is both the deliverer and the object of the psalmist’s deepest allegiance. This verse offers a powerful model for believers navigating distress, encouraging a proactive spiritual response to emotional struggle, directing one's inner being away from self-pity and towards active, hopeful reliance on God.

Examples for practical usage:

• When feeling overwhelmed, ask your own soul: "Why am I so troubled? Why am I letting these circumstances dictate my hope?"
• Consciously direct your thoughts: "I will put my hope in God, not in what I see or feel."
• Verbalize or write down a commitment to praise God in the future, even if present praise feels difficult, remembering His past faithfulness.