1.
As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
1, 2. Compare ().
panteth—desires in a
state of exhaustion.
2.
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
2. appear before God—in acts
of worship, the terms used in the command for the stated personal
appearance of the Jews at the sanctuary.
3.
My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
3. Where is thy God?—implying
that He had forsaken him (compare 2 Samuel 16:7;
Psalms 3:2; Psalms 22:8).
4.
When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
4. The verbs are properly
rendered as futures, "I will remember," &c.,—that is,
the recollection of this season of distress will give greater zest to
the privileges of God's worship, when obtained.
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.
5. Hence he chides his
despondent soul, assuring himself of a time of joy.
help of his countenance—or,
"face" (compare Numbers 6:25;
Psalms 4:6; Psalms 16:11).
6.
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.
6. Dejection again described.
therefore—that is,
finding no comfort in myself, I turn to Thee, even in this distant
"land of Jordan and the (mountains) Hermon, the
country east of Jordan.
hill Mizar—as a name of
a small hill contrasted with the mountains round about Jerusalem,
perhaps denoted the contempt with which the place of exile was
regarded.
7.
Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
7. The roar of successive
billows, responding to that of floods of rain, represented the heavy
waves of sorrow which overwhelmed him.
8.
Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
8. Still he relies on as
constant a flow of divine mercy which will elicit his praise and
encourage his prayer to God.
9.
I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
9, 10. in view of which [], he dictates to himself a prayer based on his distress,
aggravated as it was by the cruel taunts and infidel suggestions of
his foes.
10.
As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
11.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
11. This brings on a renewed
self-chiding, and excites hopes of relief.
health—or help.
of my countenance—(compare
Psalms 42:5) who cheers me, driving
away clouds of sorrow from my face.
my God—It is He of
whose existence and favor my foes would have me doubt.