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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 42:1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/42-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/19_Psa_042_001.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 42:1 - Blessed is He who Cares for the Poor" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/42-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/42-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/42.htm">Chapter 42</a> > Verse 1</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/41-13.htm" title="Psalm 41:13">◄</a> Psalm 42:1 <a href="/psalms/42-2.htm" title="Psalm 42:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/42.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/42.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />For the director of music. A maskil of the Sons of Korah. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/42.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/42.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/42.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/42.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/42.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />To the Chief Musician. A Contemplation of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/42.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the music director. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/42.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For the choir director. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/42.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for Thee, O God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/42.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For the choir director. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/42.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />To the Chief Musician. A skillful song, <i>or</i> a didactic <i>or</i> reflective poem, of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants [longingly] for the water brooks, So my soul pants [longingly] for You, O God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/42.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the choir director. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As a deer longs for flowing streams, so I long for you, God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/42.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br /> For the choir director. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As a deer longs for streams of water, so I long for You, God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/42.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For the Chief Musician. Maschil of the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, So panteth my soul after thee, O God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/42.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />As a deer gets thirsty for streams of water, I truly am thirsty for you, my God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/42.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />BOOK II For the Chief Musician; Maschil of the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/42.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />[For the choir director; a [maskil] by Korah's descendants.] As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/42.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />As a deer longs for a stream of cool water, so I long for you, O God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/42.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />As an antelope pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/42.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/42.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For the music director; a well-written song by the Korahites. As a deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/42.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />[For the Chief Musician. A contemplation by the sons of Korah.] As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/42.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so my soul panteth after thee, O God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/42.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For the Chief Musician. A contemplation by the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/42.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />TO THE OVERSEER. AN INSTRUCTION OF THE SONS OF KORAH. As a deer pants for streams of water, "" So my soul pants toward You, O God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/42.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> To the Overseer. -- An Instruction. By sons of Korah. As a hart doth pant for streams of water, So my soul panteth toward Thee, O God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/42.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />To the overseer instructing for the sons of Borah. As the stag will long for the channels of waters, thus will my soul long for thee, O God.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/42.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Unto the end, understanding for the sons of Core. As the hart panteth after the fountains of water; so my soul panteth after thee, O God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/42.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 41:1>Unto the end. The understanding of the sons of Korah. <V 41:2>As the deer longs for fountains of water, so my soul longs for you, O God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/42.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For the leader. A <i>maskil</i> of the Korahites. [2] As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/42.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/42.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />AS the hart pants after the water brook so pants my soul after thee, O LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/42.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Like a stag that bellows over the brook of waters, so also my soul bellows for you, LORD JEHOVAH!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/42.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For the Leader; Maschil of the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, So panteth my soul after Thee, O God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/42.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For the end, <i>a Psalm</i> for instruction, for the sons of Core. As the hart earnestly desires the fountains of water, so my soul earnestly longs for thee, O God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/42-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=4948" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/42.htm">Blessed is He who Cares for the Poor</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">13</span>Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen. <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5329.htm" title="5329: lam·naṣ·ṣê·aḥ (Prep-l, Art:: V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- Preeminent or enduring. A primitive root; properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. To be eminent; also, to be permanent.">For the choirmaster.</a> <a href="/hebrew/4905.htm" title="4905: maś·kîl (N-ms) -- Instructive, a didactic poem. From sakal; instructive, i.e. A didactic poem.">A Maskil</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: liḇ·nê- (Prep-l:: N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">of the sons</a> <a href="/hebrew/7141.htm" title="7141: qō·raḥ (N-proper-ms) -- An Edomite name, also an Isr. name. From qarach; ice; Korach, the name of two Edomites and three Israelites.">of Korah.</a> <a href="/hebrew/354.htm" title="354: kə·’ay·yāl (Prep-k:: N-ms) -- A hart, stag, deer. An intensive form of 'ayil; a stag or male deer."> As the deer</a> <a href="/hebrew/6165.htm" title="6165: ta·‘ă·rōḡ (V-Qal-Imperf-3fs) -- To long for. A primitive root; to long for.">pants</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/650.htm" title="650: ’ă·p̄î·qê- (N-mpc) -- A channel. From 'acaph; properly, containing, i.e. A tube; also a bed or valley of a stream; also a strong thing or a hero.">streams</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: mā·yim (N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">of water,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3651.htm" title="3651: kên (Adv) -- So, thus. From kuwn; properly, set upright; hence just; but usually rightly or so.">so</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: nap̄·šî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">my soul</a> <a href="/hebrew/6165.htm" title="6165: ṯa·‘ă·rōḡ (V-Qal-Imperf-3fs) -- To long for. A primitive root; to long for.">longs</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·le·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- To, into, towards. ">after You,</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">O God.</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God’s presence?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-6.htm">Matthew 5:6</a></span><br />Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-37.htm">John 7:37-38</a></span><br />On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. / Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-1.htm">Isaiah 55:1</a></span><br />“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/22-17.htm">Revelation 22:17</a></span><br />The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-13.htm">John 4:13-14</a></span><br />Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. / But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/63-1.htm">Psalm 63:1</a></span><br />A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You. My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/84-2.htm">Psalm 84:2</a></span><br />My soul longs, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/143-6.htm">Psalm 143:6</a></span><br />I stretch out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/26-9.htm">Isaiah 26:9</a></span><br />My soul longs for You in the night; indeed, my spirit seeks You at dawn. For when Your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/8-11.htm">Amos 8:11</a></span><br />Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/3-10.htm">Philippians 3:10</a></span><br />I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-2.htm">1 Peter 2:2</a></span><br />Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/27-4.htm">Psalm 27:4</a></span><br />One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-20.htm">Psalm 119:20</a></span><br />My soul is consumed with longing for Your judgments at all times.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-131.htm">Psalm 119:131</a></span><br />I open my mouth and pant, longing for Your commandments.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">As the hart pants after the water brooks, so pants my soul after you, O God.</p><p class="hdg">A.</p><p class="hdg">the sons</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/44-1.htm">Psalm 44:1</a></b></br> To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil. We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, <i>what</i> work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/45-1.htm">Psalm 45:1</a></b></br> To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue <i>is</i> the pen of a ready writer.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/46-1.htm">Psalm 46:1</a></b></br> To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God <i>is</i> our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.</p><p class="hdg">panteth [heb.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/63-1.htm">Psalm 63:1,2</a></b></br> A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou <i>art</i> my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/84-2.htm">Psalm 84:2</a></b></br> My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/143-6.htm">Psalm 143:6,7</a></b></br> I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul <i>thirsteth</i> after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/1-3.htm">Brooks</a> <a href="/psalms/41-13.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/psalms/41-1.htm">Choirmaster</a> <a href="/psalms/142-1.htm">Contemplation</a> <a href="/psalms/29-9.htm">Deer</a> <a href="/psalms/41-2.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/psalms/41-1.htm">Director</a> <a href="/psalms/22-14.htm">Flowing</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-23.htm">Hart</a> <a href="/psalms/32-1.htm">Instruction</a> <a href="/psalms/41-13.htm">Korah</a> <a href="/psalms/84-1.htm">Korah&Gt</a> <a href="/psalms/41-1.htm">Leader</a> <a href="/psalms/41-13.htm">Maschil</a> <a href="/psalms/32-1.htm">Maskil</a> <a href="/psalms/41-13.htm">Musician</a> <a href="/psalms/41-1.htm">Music-Maker</a> <a href="/job/5-5.htm">Pant</a> <a href="/psalms/38-10.htm">Panteth</a> <a href="/job/7-2.htm">Pants</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-23.htm">Roe</a> <a href="/psalms/41-4.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/psalms/10-3.htm">Soul's</a> <a href="/psalms/18-15.htm">Streams</a> <a href="/psalms/22-14.htm">Water</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/10-7.htm">Water-Brooks</a> <a href="/joel/1-20.htm">Water-Streams</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/74-15.htm">Brooks</a> <a href="/psalms/43-5.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/psalms/44-1.htm">Choirmaster</a> <a href="/psalms/45-1.htm">Contemplation</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-19.htm">Deer</a> <a href="/psalms/45-11.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/psalms/44-1.htm">Director</a> <a href="/psalms/45-2.htm">Flowing</a> <a href="/songs/2-9.htm">Hart</a> <a href="/psalms/44-1.htm">Instruction</a> <a href="/psalms/43-5.htm">Korah</a> <a href="/psalms/48-1.htm">Korah&Gt</a> <a href="/psalms/44-1.htm">Leader</a> <a href="/psalms/43-5.htm">Maschil</a> <a href="/psalms/44-1.htm">Maskil</a> <a href="/psalms/43-5.htm">Musician</a> <a href="/psalms/44-1.htm">Music-Maker</a> <a href="/psalms/119-131.htm">Pant</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-4.htm">Panteth</a> <a href="/daniel/3-21.htm">Pants</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-19.htm">Roe</a> <a href="/psalms/42-2.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/psalms/63-9.htm">Soul's</a> <a href="/psalms/46-4.htm">Streams</a> <a href="/psalms/58-7.htm">Water</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-16.htm">Water-Brooks</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-13.htm">Water-Streams</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 42</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/42-1.htm">David's zeal to serve God in the temple</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/42-5.htm">He encourages his soul to trust in God</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/42.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/42.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For the choirmaster.</b><br>This phrase indicates that the psalm was intended for public worship and was directed to the leader of music in the temple. The role of the choirmaster was crucial in organizing and leading the musical aspects of worship, which were integral to Israelite religious life. This highlights the communal aspect of the psalm, suggesting it was meant to be shared and experienced collectively.<p><b>A Maskil of the sons of Korah.</b><br>The term "Maskil" suggests a contemplative or instructive psalm, possibly indicating a teaching purpose. The sons of Korah were a group of Levitical singers descended from Korah, who was known for his rebellion against Moses (Numbers 16). Despite their ancestor's rebellion, the sons of Korah were later appointed to serve in the temple, showing God's grace and redemption. Their involvement in temple worship underscores the importance of music and poetry in expressing devotion and theological truths.<p><b>As the deer pants for streams of water,</b><br>This vivid imagery of a deer longing for water reflects a deep, instinctual need. In the arid regions of ancient Israel, water was a precious and life-sustaining resource, making this metaphor particularly powerful. The deer’s thirst symbolizes a profound spiritual longing and dependence on God, akin to the necessity of water for survival. This imagery is echoed in other scriptures that speak of thirsting for God, such as <a href="/psalms/63.htm">Psalm 63:1</a> and <a href="/john/4-14.htm">John 4:14</a>, where Jesus offers living water.<p><b>so my soul longs after You, O God.</b><br>The psalmist expresses an intense yearning for God, paralleling the deer's physical thirst. This longing indicates a deep spiritual desire and recognition of God as the ultimate source of life and fulfillment. The soul's thirst for God suggests an intimate relationship and dependency, reflecting the covenant relationship between God and His people. This longing is a recurring theme in the Psalms and is fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus Christ, who invites believers to come to Him to satisfy their spiritual thirst (<a href="/john/7-37.htm">John 7:37-38</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sons_of_korah.htm">The Sons of Korah</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the authors of <a href="/bsb/psalms/42.htm">Psalm 42</a>, the Sons of Korah were a group of Levitical singers in the temple. Their psalms often express deep longing and worship.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_deer.htm">The Deer</a></b><br>Used metaphorically in this verse, the deer represents a soul in desperate need of God, illustrating a natural and intense longing for sustenance and refreshment.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/streams_of_water.htm">Streams of Water</a></b><br>Symbolic of spiritual nourishment and life, streams of water represent the presence and sustenance provided by God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_psalmist's_soul.htm">The Psalmist's Soul</a></b><br>The soul of the psalmist is depicted as longing and thirsting for God, indicating a deep spiritual need and desire for communion with the Divine.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate source of spiritual fulfillment and refreshment, God is the object of the psalmist's longing and desire.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_longing.htm">Spiritual Longing</a></b><br>Just as the deer instinctively seeks water, our souls are created to long for God. This longing is a natural part of our spiritual makeup and should be nurtured.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god.htm">Dependence on God</a></b><br>Recognize that true fulfillment and satisfaction come only from God. Earthly pursuits may temporarily satisfy, but only God can quench our deepest spiritual thirst.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/pursuit_of_god.htm">Pursuit of God</a></b><br>Actively seek God through prayer, worship, and the study of His Word. Like the deer that searches for water, we must diligently pursue a relationship with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/recognizing_spiritual_dryness.htm">Recognizing Spiritual Dryness</a></b><br>Be aware of times when your soul feels dry or distant from God. Use these moments as opportunities to draw closer to Him and seek His presence.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_worship.htm">Community Worship</a></b><br>Engage with fellow believers in worship and fellowship. The Sons of Korah were part of a community of worshippers, reminding us of the importance of communal spiritual practices.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_42.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 42</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_psalm_42_1's_deer_analogy_symbolic.htm">Does the deer-panting analogy (Psalm 42:1) conflict with actual animal behavior, making it purely symbolic? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_a._w._tozer's_impact.htm">Who was A. W. Tozer and his significance?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_christians_feel_distant_from_god.htm">Why do many Christians feel distant from God even when they pray and follow His commands?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_'sons_of_korah'_in_psalm_42_authentic.htm">Are the opening references to the “Sons of Korah” in Psalm 42 historically reliable, or later editorial additions? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/42.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(1) <span class= "bld">As the hart panteth.</span>--"I have seen large flocks of these panting harts gather round the water-brooks in the great deserts of central Syria, so subdued by thirst that you could approach quite near them before they fled" (Thomson, <span class= "ital">Land and Book, </span>p. 172).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/42.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">As the hart panteth after the water-brooks.</span> Stags and hinds need abundant water, especially in hot countries, and, in time of drought, may be said, with a slight poetical licence, to "pant," or "cry" (<a href="/joel/1-20.htm">Joel 1:20</a>) for it. They are still found in Palestine (Tristram, ' Land of Israel,' pp. 418, 447), though rather scarce. <span class="cmt_word">So panteth my</span> <span class="cmt_word">soul after thee, O God.</span> The "panting" of the soul does not mean any physical action, but a longing desire for a Messing that is, at any fate for a time, withheld. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/42-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">For the choirmaster.</span><br /><span class="heb">לַמְנַצֵּ֗חַ</span> <span class="translit">(lam·naṣ·ṣê·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5329.htm">Strong's 5329: </a> </span><span class="str2">To glitter from afar, to be eminent, to be permanent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">A Maskil</span><br /><span class="heb">מַשְׂכִּ֥יל</span> <span class="translit">(maś·kîl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4905.htm">Strong's 4905: </a> </span><span class="str2">Instructive, a didactic poem</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the sons</span><br /><span class="heb">לִבְנֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(liḇ·nê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Korah.</span><br /><span class="heb">קֹֽרַח׃</span> <span class="translit">(qō·raḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7141.htm">Strong's 7141: </a> </span><span class="str2">Korah -- an Edomite name, also an Israelite name</span><br /><br /><span class="word">As the deer</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּאַיָּ֗ל</span> <span class="translit">(kə·’ay·yāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_354.htm">Strong's 354: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hart, stag, deer</span><br /><br /><span class="word">pants</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּעֲרֹ֥ג</span> <span class="translit">(ta·‘ă·rōḡ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6165.htm">Strong's 6165: </a> </span><span class="str2">To long for</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">streams</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲפִֽיקֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·p̄î·qê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_650.htm">Strong's 650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Containing, a tube, a bed, valley of a, stream, a strong thing, a hero</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of water,</span><br /><span class="heb">מָ֑יִם</span> <span class="translit">(mā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so</span><br /><span class="heb">כֵּ֤ן</span> <span class="translit">(kên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3651.htm">Strong's 3651: </a> </span><span class="str2">So -- thus</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my soul</span><br /><span class="heb">נַפְשִׁ֨י</span> <span class="translit">(nap̄·šî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><br /><span class="word">longs</span><br /><span class="heb">תַעֲרֹ֖ג</span> <span class="translit">(ṯa·‘ă·rōḡ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6165.htm">Strong's 6165: </a> </span><span class="str2">To long for</span><br /><br /><span class="word">after You,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלֶ֣יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·le·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O God.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/42-1.htm">Psalm 42:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/42-1.htm">Psalm 42:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/42-1.htm">Psalm 42:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/42-1.htm">Psalm 42:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/42-1.htm">Psalm 42:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/42-1.htm">Psalm 42:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/42-1.htm">Psalm 42:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/42-1.htm">Psalm 42:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/42-1.htm">Psalm 42:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/42-1.htm">Psalm 42:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/42-1.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 42:1 For the Chief Musician (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/41-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 41:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 41:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/42-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 42:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 42:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>