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Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/42.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“O God my rock,” I cry, “why have you forgotten me? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/42.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />I say to God, my rock: “Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/42.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />I say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why must I walk in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/42.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/42.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />I will say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/42.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will say to God my rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/42.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />I will say to God my rock, &#8220Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/42.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />I will say to God my rock, “Why hast Thou forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/42.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />I say to God my rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/42.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />I will say to God my rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/42.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will say to God, my rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/42.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will say to God, my rock,&#8221 Why have You forgotten me? Why must I go about in sorrow because of the enemy&#8217s oppression?&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/42.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/42.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You are my mighty rock. Why have you forgotten me? Why must enemies mistreat me and make me sad? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/42.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/42.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I will ask God, my rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I walk around in mourning while the enemy oppresses me?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/42.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />To God, my defender, I say, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go on suffering from the cruelty of my enemies?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/42.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />I will ask God, my Rock, "Why have you forsaken me? Why do I go around mourning under the enemy's oppression?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/42.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />I say to God my Rock, ?Why have You forgotten me? Why must I walk in sorrow because of the enemy?s oppression??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/42.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I will pray to God, my high ridge: "Why do you ignore me? Why must I walk around mourning because my enemies oppress me?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/42.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />I will ask God, my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/42.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />I will say to God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/42.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I will ask God, my rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/42.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />I say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning in the oppression of an enemy?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/42.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> I say to God my rock, 'Why hast Thou forgotten me? Why go I mourning in the oppression of an enemy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/42.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />I will say to God my rock, Wherefore didst thou forget me? wherefore darkened shall I go for the oppression of the enemy?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/42.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />I will say to God : Thou art my support. Why hast thou forgotten me? and why go I mourning, whilst my enemy afflicteth me? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/42.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 41:10>I will say to God, “You are my supporter. Why have you forgotten me? And why do I walk in mourning, while my adversary afflicts me?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/42.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />I will say to God, my rock: “Why do you forget me? Why must I go about mourning with the enemy oppressing me?” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/42.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />I say to God, my rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I walk about mournfully because the enemy oppresses me?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/42.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />I will say to God, Why hast thou forsaken me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of my enemies?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/42.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />I have said to God, "Why have you forgotten me, and why do I walk sadly in distress of my enemies?"<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/42.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />I will say unto God my Rock: 'Why hast Thou forgotten me? Why go I mourning under the oppression of the enemy?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/42.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />I will say to God, Thou art my helper; why hast thou forgotten me? wherefore do I go sad of countenance, while the enemy oppresses <i>me</i>?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/42-9.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=5034" 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">8</span>The LORD decrees His loving devotion by day, and at night His song is with me as a prayer to the God of my life. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ō·wm·rāh (V-Qal-Imperf.Cohort-1cs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">I say</a> <a href="/hebrew/410.htm" title="410: lə·’êl (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- God, in pl. gods. Shortened from 'ayil; strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty.">to God</a> <a href="/hebrew/5553.htm" title="5553: sal·‘î (N-msc:: 1cs) -- A crag, cliff. From an unused root meaning to be lofty; a craggy rock, literally or figuratively.">my Rock,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: lā·māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/7911.htm" title="7911: šə·ḵaḥ·tā·nî (V-Qal-Perf-2ms:: 1cs) -- To forget. Or shakeach; a primitive root; to mislay, i.e. To be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention.">have You forgotten me?</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: lām·māh- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: ’ê·lêḵ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">must I walk</a> <a href="/hebrew/6937.htm" title="6937: qō·ḏêr (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To be dark. A primitive root; to be ashy, i.e. Dark-colored; by implication, to mourn.">in sorrow</a> <a href="/hebrew/341.htm" title="341: ’ō·w·yêḇ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- Hating, an adversary. Or owyeb; active participle of 'ayab; hating; an adversary.">because of the enemy’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/3906.htm" title="3906: bə·la·ḥaṣ (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Oppression, distress. From lachats; distress.">oppression?”</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>Like the crushing of my bones, my enemies taunt me, while they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”…<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="/job/30-20.htm">Job 30:20</a></span><br />I cry out to You for help, but You do not answer; when I stand up, You merely look at me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/22-1.htm">Psalm 22:1</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Doe of the Dawn.” A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my words of groaning?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/77-7.htm">Psalm 77:7-9</a></span><br />“Will the Lord spurn us forever and never show His favor again? / Is His loving devotion gone forever? Has His promise failed for all time? / Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has His anger shut off His compassion?” Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-8.htm">Lamentations 3:8</a></span><br />Even when I cry out and plead for help, He shuts out my prayer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/1-2.htm">Habakkuk 1:2</a></span><br />How long, O LORD, must I call for help but You do not hear, or cry out to You, “Violence!” but You do not save?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/23-3.htm">Job 23:3-4</a></span><br />If only I knew where to find Him, so that I could go to His seat. / I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/13-1.htm">Psalm 13:1-2</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? / How long must I wrestle in my soul, with sorrow in my heart each day? How long will my enemy dominate me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/88-14.htm">Psalm 88:14</a></span><br />Why, O LORD, do You reject me? Why do You hide Your face from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/49-14.htm">Isaiah 49:14</a></span><br />But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; the Lord has forgotten me!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/15-18.htm">Jeremiah 15:18</a></span><br />Why is my pain unending, and my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? You have indeed become like a mirage to me—water that is not there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-46.htm">Matthew 27:46</a></span><br />About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/15-34.htm">Mark 15:34</a></span><br />At the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-35.htm">Romans 8:35-39</a></span><br />Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? / As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” / No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-8.htm">2 Corinthians 4:8-9</a></span><br />We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; / persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/12-9.htm">2 Corinthians 12:9-10</a></span><br />But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">I will say to God my rock, Why have you forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?</p><p class="hdg">God</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/18-2.htm">Psalm 18:2</a></b></br> The LORD <i>is</i> my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, <i>and</i> my high tower.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/28-1.htm">Psalm 28:1</a></b></br> <i>A Psalm</i> of David. Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, <i>if</i> thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/62-2.htm">Psalm 62:2,6,7</a></b></br> He only <i>is</i> my rock and my salvation; <i>he is</i> my defence; I shall not be greatly moved… </p><p class="hdg">Why hast</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/13-1.htm">Psalm 13:1</a></b></br> To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/22-1.htm">Psalm 22:1,2</a></b></br> To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? <i>why art thou so</i> far from helping me, <i>and from</i> the words of my roaring? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/44-23.htm">Psalm 44:23,24</a></b></br> Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast <i>us</i> not off for ever… </p><p class="hdg">why go</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/38-6.htm">Psalm 38:6</a></b></br> I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/43-2.htm">Psalm 43:2</a></b></br> For thou <i>art</i> the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/88-9.htm">Psalm 88:9</a></b></br> Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee.</p><p class="hdg">because</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/55-3.htm">Psalm 55:3</a></b></br> Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:1</a></b></br> So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of <i>such as were</i> oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors <i>there was</i> power; but they had no comforter.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/5-1.htm">Lamentations 5:1-16</a></b></br> Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/18-43.htm">Attacks</a> <a href="/psalms/41-11.htm">Enemy</a> <a href="/psalms/31-12.htm">Forgotten</a> <a href="/psalms/41-7.htm">Haters</a> <a href="/psalms/34-16.htm">Memory</a> <a href="/psalms/38-6.htm">Mourning</a> <a href="/psalms/10-18.htm">Oppressed</a> <a href="/psalms/12-5.htm">Oppression</a> <a href="/psalms/40-2.htm">Rock</a> <a href="/psalms/39-2.htm">Sorrow</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/43-2.htm">Attacks</a> <a href="/psalms/43-2.htm">Enemy</a> <a href="/psalms/44-17.htm">Forgotten</a> <a href="/psalms/42-10.htm">Haters</a> <a href="/psalms/44-17.htm">Memory</a> <a href="/psalms/43-2.htm">Mourning</a> <a href="/psalms/43-2.htm">Oppressed</a> <a href="/psalms/43-2.htm">Oppression</a> <a href="/psalms/61-2.htm">Rock</a> <a href="/psalms/43-2.htm">Sorrow</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>I say to God my Rock</b><br>The term "Rock" is a metaphor for God, emphasizing His strength, stability, and reliability. In biblical times, rocks were seen as symbols of protection and refuge, often used in the context of God being a fortress or a place of safety (e.g., <a href="/psalms/18-2.htm">Psalm 18:2</a>). This imagery is consistent throughout the Old Testament, where God is frequently referred to as a rock, highlighting His unchanging nature and the security He provides to His people. The psalmist's use of "my Rock" indicates a personal relationship and trust in God's steadfastness.<p><b>“Why have You forgotten me?”</b><br>This phrase reflects a deep sense of abandonment and distress. The psalmist feels as though God has withdrawn His presence, a sentiment echoed in other psalms (e.g., <a href="/psalms/13.htm">Psalm 13:1</a>). This expression of lament is a common theme in the Psalms, where the writers often grapple with feelings of divine absence during times of trouble. Theologically, this can be understood as a test of faith, where believers are called to trust in God's promises despite their circumstances. It also foreshadows the cry of Jesus on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (<a href="/matthew/27-46.htm">Matthew 27:46</a>), linking the psalmist's experience to the suffering of Christ.<p><b>Why must I walk in sorrow</b><br>The phrase "walk in sorrow" conveys a continuous state of grief and distress. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, walking was a common metaphor for one's way of life or conduct. The psalmist's sorrow is not just an emotional state but a pervasive condition affecting his daily life. This reflects the broader biblical theme of the righteous suffering in a fallen world, a concept explored in the Book of Job and throughout the Psalms. It also points to the believer's journey through trials, with the assurance that God ultimately provides comfort and deliverance.<p><b>because of the enemy’s oppression?”</b><br>The "enemy's oppression" refers to the external pressures and adversities faced by the psalmist, likely from hostile forces or individuals. In the historical context, Israel often faced threats from surrounding nations, and the psalmist's lament could be a response to such political or military pressures. Spiritually, this can also be seen as a representation of the believer's struggle against sin and spiritual adversaries, as described in <a href="/ephesians/6-12.htm">Ephesians 6:12</a>. The oppression serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle between good and evil, with the assurance that God will ultimately triumph over all enemies.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>Referred to as "my Rock," symbolizing strength, stability, and refuge for the psalmist.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_psalmist.htm">The Psalmist</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed to the sons of Korah, expressing deep personal anguish and a sense of abandonment.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_enemy.htm">The Enemy</a></b><br>Represents those who oppress and cause distress to the psalmist, possibly literal adversaries or symbolic of spiritual struggles.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god_as_our_rock.htm">God as Our Rock</a></b><br>Emphasize the importance of seeing God as a stable and unchanging foundation in times of trouble.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_lament.htm">The Reality of Lament</a></b><br>Acknowledge that expressing feelings of abandonment and sorrow is a valid part of the Christian experience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_amidst_oppression.htm">Trust Amidst Oppression</a></b><br>Encourage believers to maintain trust in God even when facing oppression or spiritual attacks.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god_in_sorrow.htm">Seeking God in Sorrow</a></b><br>Highlight the importance of turning to God with our questions and pain, rather than turning away.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_god's_faithfulness.htm">Hope in God's Faithfulness</a></b><br>Remind believers of God's past faithfulness as a source of hope and encouragement during difficult times.<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/why_is_injustice_present_in_psalm_62.htm">In Psalm 62, why is there still rampant injustice (verses 3, 9-10) if God truly is the believer's secure refuge?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_mention_infants_dashed_in_bible.htm">Why does the Bible mention infants dashed to pieces?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_job_17's_despair_contradict_deliverance.htm">Does the profound hopelessness expressed in Job 17 contradict other scriptures that promise divine deliverance for the faithful?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_god_always_strive_with_man.htm">Will God always strive with man? (Genesis 6:3 vs. Psalm 103:9)</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>(9) Apparently we have now the very words of the prayer just mentioned.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/42.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">I will say unto God my Rock</span> (comp. <a href="/psalms/18-1.htm">Psalm 18:1</a>; <a href="/psalms/31-3.htm">Psalm 31:3</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Why hast thou forgotten me?</span> (see the comment on Psalm 13:1). God does not forget even when he most seems to forget (comp. <a href="/psalms/9-12.htm">Psalm 9:12</a>; <a href="/psalms/37-28.htm">Psalm 37:28</a>). As the event showed, he had not now forgotten David (see <a href="/2_samuel/19-9.htm">2 Samuel 19:9-40</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Why go I mourning</span> <span class="cmt_word">because of the oppression of the enemy?</span> Why am. I allowed to remain so long an exile, sorrowing and oppressed (comp. <a href="/psalms/43-2.htm">Psalm 43:2</a>)? Even to repentant sinners God's judgments are apt to seem too severe, too much prolonged, too grievous. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/42-9.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">I will say</span><br /><span class="heb">אוֹמְרָ֤ה ׀</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·wm·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to God,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאֵ֥ל</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_410.htm">Strong's 410: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my rock,</span><br /><span class="heb">סַלְעִי֮</span> <span class="translit">(sal·‘î)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5553.htm">Strong's 5553: </a> </span><span class="str2">A craggy rock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Why</span><br /><span class="heb">לָמָ֪ה</span> <span class="translit">(lā·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">have You forgotten me?</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁכַ֫חְתָּ֥נִי</span> <span class="translit">(šə·ḵaḥ·tā·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7911.htm">Strong's 7911: </a> </span><span class="str2">To mislay, to be oblivious of, from want of memory, attention</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Why</span><br /><span class="heb">לָֽמָּה־</span> <span class="translit">(lām·māh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">must I walk</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלֵ֗ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·lêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in sorrow</span><br /><span class="heb">קֹדֵ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(qō·ḏêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6937.htm">Strong's 6937: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be ashy, darkcolored, to mourn</span><br /><br /><span class="word">because of the enemy’s</span><br /><span class="heb">אוֹיֵֽב׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·w·yêḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_341.htm">Strong's 341: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hating, an adversary</span><br /><br /><span class="word">oppression?”</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּלַ֣חַץ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·la·ḥaṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3906.htm">Strong's 3906: </a> </span><span class="str2">Oppression, distress</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/42-9.htm">Psalm 42:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/42-9.htm">Psalm 42:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/42-9.htm">Psalm 42:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/42-9.htm">Psalm 42:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/42-9.htm">Psalm 42:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/42-9.htm">Psalm 42:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/42-9.htm">Psalm 42:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/42-9.htm">Psalm 42:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/42-9.htm">Psalm 42:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/42-9.htm">Psalm 42:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/42-9.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 42:9 I will ask God my rock Why (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/42-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 42:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 42:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/42-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 42:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 42:10" /></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>