Psalm 42 Commentary
Water is life. A deer panting for water is panting for dear life. It’s a picture of life outside of God’s presence.
It’s picture of how the psalmist longs for God.
It’s nostalgia that the psalmist talks about the old days when he went to God’s house to worship. Of course. But we know the days in question weren’t as golden as painted. Is the psalmist subconsciously reminiscing about Eden?
Isn’t the temple structure meant to represent God’s presence? Well, even the shadow of God’s presence is also missing! The saint is in real trouble!
“Where is your God?” Only Calvary can answer this question.
“Where is your God?” He is not here, at the graveyard; He has been raised from death. He has gone ahead of you to Galilee.
The saint shouldn’t repeat this psalm. His God has gone ahead of him into life. The “where is your God” question is answered.
Let not your heart break. Of course, ask yourself why you are sad. Know you shouldn’t be! Know you shouldn’t be troubled! You are no longer in exile! The Kingdom of the Son is here! The LORD God hasn’t forgotten you!
But this psalm holds great value for mortals who must find life. All mortals need water. Many have searched for it in empty cisterns. The psalmist knows where and how to find this life-giving water.
Yes, the context of this psalm could be the Babylonian exile. But it points to mortals’ eternal search for life, for God’s presence. It’s a search that commenced with the events of Genesis 3 – when humans were kicked out of the Garden of peace and tranquility.
You don’t have to wait for your enemies to ask where your God is. You always feel godless when you are one. You cannot pretend it.
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