Psalm 42 6

Psalm 42:6 kjv

O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.

Psalm 42:6 nkjv

O my God, my soul is cast down within me; Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan, And from the heights of Hermon, From the Hill Mizar.

Psalm 42:6 niv

My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon?from Mount Mizar.

Psalm 42:6 esv

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.

Psalm 42:6 nlt

my God!
Now I am deeply discouraged,
but I will remember you ?
even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan,
from the land of Mount Mizar.

Psalm 42 verses

Psalm 42 6 Meaning

Psalm 42:6 portrays a profound internal struggle within the psalmist's soul, wrestling with despair and turmoil. It captures a moment of deep spiritual and emotional low. Yet, the verse immediately shifts to a powerful act of self-exhortation, commanding the distressed soul to place its hope and confident expectation in God. This hope is anchored in the conviction that the psalmist will undoubtedly experience God's deliverance and praise Him again as his ultimate source of salvation and his God, despite present feelings.

Psalm 42 6 Context

Psalm 42, often considered a paired psalm with Psalm 43, expresses the deep longing of the psalmist for God's presence, particularly the public worship within the Temple at Jerusalem. It is a lament psalm from one in exile or cut off from the central sanctuary, perhaps during a national crisis or personal adversity that has led to his isolation and taunting by others ("Where is your God?"). The recurring rhetorical questions about the soul's dejection punctuate the psalm, highlighting a cycle of despair met by an unwavering resolution to trust God. This verse (Psa 42:6) is a pivotal moment within this internal struggle, representing a shift from expressing despair to actively commanding the soul toward hope in God.

Psalm 42 6 Word analysis

• Why: The Hebrew mah (מַה) is an interrogative pronoun, expressing not just a question but deep bewilderment and perhaps frustration at his own state. It initiates a rhetorical dialogue within the psalmist's own being.
• are you cast down: From the Hebrew root shachach (שָׁחַח, transliterated as tishtōchachī in the Hithpalpel stem). This verb literally means "to bow down," "stoop low," or "be brought low." Here, it signifies a profound internal humiliation, deep emotional depression, and a sense of defeat, almost as if his soul is physically bent under a heavy burden. It reflects utter dejection.
• O my soul: The Hebrew napshī (נַפְשִׁי) derives from nephesh (נֶפֶשׁ), which encompasses the totality of the living being – not just the spirit, but the very essence of a person, including emotions, will, desire, life, and breath. The psalmist is addressing his entire being, his innermost self, indicating a conscious and deliberate self-dialogue.
• and why are you in turmoil: From the Hebrew root hamah (הָמָה, transliterated as tehĕmī). This verb denotes making a great noise, roaring, groaning, being turbulent, or restless. It vividly portrays an internal clamor, agitation, and disquietude, an inward unrest and distress that churns within the psalmist.
• within me: The Hebrew ʿālay (עָלַי) can mean "upon me" or "against me" but in this context signifies "within me" or "inside me," pointing to the internal nature of the turmoil.
• Hope: From the Hebrew root yachal (יָחַל, transliterated as hôchīlī). This is an imperative verb, a direct command from the psalmist to his soul. It implies an active, patient, and persistent waiting for God with confident expectation, not passive wishful thinking. It suggests clinging to God's promises and character despite present circumstances.
• in God: The Hebrew lēlōhīm (לֵאלֹהִים) uses Elohim (אֱלֹהִים), the plural majestic name for God, emphasizing His power, sovereignty, and faithfulness as the ultimate object of trust and expectation.
• for I shall again praise him: The Hebrew ʿôḏ ʾôdennû (עוֹד אוֹדֶנּוּ) means "still/again I will praise Him." ʿÔḏ signifies repetition or continuance. This is a declarative statement of faith, expressing an unwavering certainty that despite his current state, God's faithfulness will lead to future acts of worship and thanksgiving.
• my salvation: The ESV "my salvation and my God" is often seen as flowing from Psa 43:5. The Masoretic text for Psa 42:6 specifically reads yĕshūʿōṯ pānāyw (יְשׁוּעוֹת פָנָיו), "the salvations of His countenance/presence." Yĕshūʿōṯ (salvations) is plural, possibly indicating comprehensive, abundant, or repeated acts of deliverance. This highlights that salvation flows directly from God's active, favorable presence. The ESV renders it simply as "my salvation and my God" integrating the essence from the preceding verse and its thematic pairing with Psalm 43:5, directly identifying God as the source and essence of personal salvation.
• and my God: A possessive declaration of intimate relationship and ownership of God, expressing His personal nature and trustworthiness as the deliverer.

Psalm 42 6 Bonus section

The repeated structure across Psa 42:5, Psa 42:11, and Psa 43:5 emphasizes the persistent nature of spiritual struggle and the recurring need for faith-driven self-exhortation. This literary repetition is not a sign of artistic weakness, but rather a reflection of the reality of faith: battling discouragement is often a cyclical process that requires continuous conscious redirecting of one's thoughts and emotions towards God. This internal dialogue underscores that spiritual warfare often begins within the heart and mind, where despair and trust vie for dominance. The Psalmist does not say "feel hopeful" but "hope," implying that hope is an act of will and an orientation of the heart, sustained by recalling God's past deliverances and His unwavering nature.

Psalm 42 6 Commentary

Psalm 42:6 offers a profound spiritual and psychological model for coping with despair. The psalmist acknowledges and articulates his deep internal distress ("Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?"). This candid self-awareness and confrontation of inner anguish are crucial first steps in battling overwhelming feelings. Instead of passively succumbing to his emotions, he actively commands his soul, a form of spiritual discipline, to "Hope in God." This isn't a simplistic denial of pain, but a theological anchor in the storm; a volitional choice to align his internal disposition with divine truth rather than transient feelings. The phrase "for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God" transforms a plea into a prophetic declaration of future restoration and gratitude. It asserts that God Himself is the full and sufficient source of deliverance. This verse teaches believers to lament honestly, yet never without hope, because the unchanging character of God and His ultimate power to deliver outweigh any present suffering.Examples:

1. Lament & Redirect: When overwhelmed by anxiety, consciously articulate the distress ("Why am I so worried?") then command, "Soul, recall God's promises; hope in Him!"
2. Faith over Feeling: Despite intense sorrow from loss, vocalize the truth, "My heart grieves, yet I will praise God, for He is my comforter and my strength."
3. Active Hope: In protracted trials, rather than dwelling on the "why," redirect the internal monologue: "Though I don't see the way, I choose to hope in the Lord's faithful character."