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Selected Verse: Psalms 42:5 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Ps 42:5	Strong Concordance	Why art thou cast down [07817], O my soul [05315]? and why art thou disquieted [01993] in me? hope [03176] thou in God [0430]: for I shall yet praise [03034] him for the help [03444] of his countenance [06440].
	King James	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.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
Hence he chides his despondent soul, assuring himself of a time of joy. help of his countenance--or, "face" (compare Num 6:25; Psa 4:6; Psa 16:11).

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

Hence he chides his despondent soul, assuring himself of a time of joy.

help of his countenance--or, "face" (compare Num 6:25; Psa 4:6; Psa 16:11).

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? - Margin, bowed down. The Hebrew word means to bow down, to incline oneself; then, usually, to prostrate oneself as in public worship; and then, to sink down under the weight of sorrow; to be depressed and sad. The Septuagint renders it, "Why art thou grieved?" - περίλυπος perilupos. So the Vulgate. This is an earnest remonstrance addressed by himself to his own soul, as if there were really no occasion for this excessive depression; as if he cherished his grief improperly. There was a brighter side, and he ought to turn to that, and take a more cheerful view of the matter. He had allowed his mind to rest on the dark side, to look at the discouraging things in his condition. He now felt that this was in some measure voluntary, or had been indulged too freely, and that it was wrong: that it was proper for a man like him to seek for comfort in brighter views; that it was a duty which he owed to himself and to the cause of religion to take brighter views. We may remark, (1) That there are two sides to the events which occur, and which seem so discouraging to us - a dark side and a bright side. (2) That in certain states of mind, connected often with a diseased nervous system, we are prone to look only on the dark side, to see only what is gloomy and discouraging. (3) That this often becomes in a sense voluntary, and that we find a melancholy satisfaction in being miserable, and in making ourselves more unhappy, as if we had been wronged, and as if there were a kind of virtue in dejection and gloom - in "refusing," like Rachel, "to be comforted" Jer 31:15; perhaps also feeling as if by this we were deserving of the divine approbation, and laying the foundation for some claim to favor on the score of merit. (4) That in this we are often eminently guilty, as putting away those consolations which God has provided for us; as if a man, under the influence of some morbid feeling, should find a kind of melancholy pleasure in starving himself to death in the midst of a garden full of fruit, or dying of thirst by, the side of a running fountain. And (5) That it is the duty of the people of God to look at the bright side of things; to think of the past mercies of God; to survey the blessings which surround us still; to look to the future, in this world and the next, with hope; and to come to God, and cast the burden on him. It is a part of religious duty to be cheer ful; and a man may often do more real good by a cheerful and submissive mind in times of affliction, than he could by much active effort in the days of health, plenty, and prosperity. Every sad and desponding Christian ought to say to his soul, "Why art thou thus cast down?" And why art thou disquieted in me? - Troubled, sad. The word means literally, (1) to growl as a bear; (2) to sound, or make a noise, as a harp, rain, waves; (3) to be agitated, troubled, or anxious in mind: to moan internally. See the notes at Isa 16:11; compare Jer 48:36. Hope thou in God - That is, trust in him, with the hope that he will interpose and restore thee to the privileges and comforts heretofore enjoyed. The soul turns to God when all other hope fails, and finds comfort in the belief that he can and will aid us. For I shall yet praise him - Margin, give thanks. The idea is, that he would yet have occasion to give him thanks for his merciful interposition. This implies a strong assurance that these troubles would not last always. For the help of his countenance - literally, "the salvations of his face," or his presence. The original word rendered help is in the plural number, meaning salvations; and the idea in the use of the plural is, that his deliverance would be completed or entire - as if double or manifold. The meaning of the phrase "help of his countenance" or "face," is that God would look favorably or benignly upon him. Favor is expressed in the Scriptures by lifting up the light of the countenance on one. See the notes at Psa 4:6; compare Psa 11:7; Psa 21:6; Psa 44:3; Psa 89:15. This closes the first part of the psalm, expressing the confident belief of the psalmist that God would yet interpose, and that his troubles would have an end; reposing entire confidence in God as the only ground of hope; and expressing the feeling that when that confidence exists the soul should not be dejected or cast down.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? - Margin, bowed down. The Hebrew word means to bow down, to incline oneself; then, usually, to prostrate oneself as in public worship; and then, to sink down under the weight of sorrow; to be depressed and sad. The Septuagint renders it, "Why art thou grieved?" - περίλυπος perilupos. So the Vulgate. This is an earnest remonstrance addressed by himself to his own soul, as if there were really no occasion for this excessive depression; as if he cherished his grief improperly. There was a brighter side, and he ought to turn to that, and take a more cheerful view of the matter. He had allowed his mind to rest on the dark side, to look at the discouraging things in his condition. He now felt that this was in some measure voluntary, or had been indulged too freely, and that it was wrong: that it was proper for a man like him to seek for comfort in brighter views; that it was a duty which he owed to himself and to the cause of religion to take brighter views. We may remark,

(1) That there are two sides to the events which occur, and which seem so discouraging to us - a dark side and a bright side.

(2) That in certain states of mind, connected often with a diseased nervous system, we are prone to look only on the dark side, to see only what is gloomy and discouraging.

(3) That this often becomes in a sense voluntary, and that we find a melancholy satisfaction in being miserable, and in making ourselves more unhappy, as if we had been wronged, and as if there were a kind of virtue in dejection and gloom - in "refusing," like Rachel, "to be comforted" Jer 31:15; perhaps also feeling as if by this we were deserving of the divine approbation, and laying the foundation for some claim to favor on the score of merit.

(4) That in this we are often eminently guilty, as putting away those consolations which God has provided for us; as if a man, under the influence of some morbid feeling, should find a kind of melancholy pleasure in starving himself to death in the midst of a garden full of fruit, or dying of thirst by, the side of a running fountain. And

(5) That it is the duty of the people of God to look at the bright side of things; to think of the past mercies of God; to survey the blessings which surround us still; to look to the future, in this world and the next, with hope; and to come to God, and cast the burden on him. It is a part of religious duty to be cheer ful; and a man may often do more real good by a cheerful and submissive mind in times of affliction, than he could by much active effort in the days of health, plenty, and prosperity. Every sad and desponding Christian ought to say to his soul, "Why art thou thus cast down?"

And why art thou disquieted in me? - Troubled, sad. The word means literally,

(1) to growl as a bear;

(2) to sound, or make a noise, as a harp, rain, waves;

(3) to be agitated, troubled, or anxious in mind: to moan internally. See the notes at Isa 16:11; compare Jer 48:36.

Hope thou in God - That is, trust in him, with the hope that he will interpose and restore thee to the privileges and comforts heretofore enjoyed. The soul turns to God when all other hope fails, and finds comfort in the belief that he can and will aid us.

For I shall yet praise him - Margin, give thanks. The idea is, that he would yet have occasion to give him thanks for his merciful interposition. This implies a strong assurance that these troubles would not last always.

For the help of his countenance - literally, "the salvations of his face," or his presence. The original word rendered help is in the plural number, meaning salvations; and the idea in the use of the plural is, that his deliverance would be completed or entire - as if double or manifold. The meaning of the phrase "help of his countenance" or "face," is that God would look favorably or benignly upon him. Favor is expressed in the Scriptures by lifting up the light of the countenance on one. See the notes at Psa 4:6; compare Psa 11:7; Psa 21:6; Psa 44:3; Psa 89:15. This closes the first part of the psalm, expressing the confident belief of the psalmist that God would yet interpose, and that his troubles would have an end; reposing entire confidence in God as the only ground of hope; and expressing the feeling that when that confidence exists the soul should not be dejected or cast down.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
For - Heb. for the salvations of his face, for those supports, deliverances and comforts which I doubt not I shall enjoy both in his presence and sanctuary, and from his presence, and the light of his countenance.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? - Bad as the times are, desolate as Jerusalem is, insulting as are our enemies, hopeless as in the sight of man our condition may be, yet there is no room for despair. All things are possible to God. We have a promise of restoration; he is as good as he is powerful; hope therefore in him. I shall yet praise him - For my restoration from this captivity. He is the health of my soul. I shall have the light and help of his countenance, his approbation, and a glorious deliverance wrought by his right hand.

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¹¹ Thou wilt shew [03045] me the path [0734] of life [02416]: in thy presence [06440] is fulness [07648] of joy [08057]; at thy right hand [03225] there are pleasures [05273] for evermore [05331].

⁶ There be many [07227] that say [0559], Who will shew [07200] us any good [02896]? LORD [03068], lift thou up [05375] the light [0216] of thy countenance [06440] upon us.

²⁵ The LORD [03068] make his face [06440] shine [0215] upon thee, and be gracious [02603] unto thee:

¹⁵ Blessed [0835] is the people [05971] that know [03045] the joyful sound [08643]: they shall walk [01980], O LORD [03068], in the light [0216] of thy countenance [06440].

³ For they got [03423] not the land [0776] in possession [03423] by their own sword [02719], neither did their own arm [02220] save [03467] them: but thy right hand [03225], and thine arm [02220], and the light [0216] of thy countenance [06440], because thou hadst a favour [07521] unto them.

⁶ For thou hast made [07896] him most blessed [01293] for ever [05703]: thou hast made [02302] him exceeding glad [08057] with thy countenance [06440].

⁷ For the righteous [06662] LORD [03068] loveth [0157] righteousness [06666]; his countenance [06440] doth behold [02372] the upright [03477].

⁶ There be many [07227] that say [0559], Who will shew [07200] us any good [02896]? LORD [03068], lift thou up [05375] the light [0216] of thy countenance [06440] upon us.

³⁶ Therefore mine heart [03820] shall sound [01993] for Moab [04124] like pipes [02485], and mine heart [03820] shall sound [01993] like pipes [02485] for the men [0582] of Kirheres [07025]: because the riches [03502] that he hath gotten [06213] are perished [06].

¹¹ Wherefore my bowels [04578] shall sound [01993] like an harp [03658] for Moab [04124], and mine inward parts [07130] for Kirharesh [07025].

¹⁵ Thus saith [0559] the LORD [03068]; A voice [06963] was heard [08085] in Ramah [07414], lamentation [05092], and bitter [08563] weeping [01065]; Rahel [07354] weeping [01058] for her children [01121] refused [03985] to be comforted [05162] for her children [01121], because they were not.