Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. New Living Translation Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and English Standard Version Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation Berean Standard Bible Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence. King James Bible 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. New King James Version Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance. New American Standard Bible Why are you in despair, my soul? And why are you restless within me? Wait for God, for I will again praise Him For the help of His presence, my God. NASB 1995 Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence. NASB 1977 Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence. Legacy Standard Bible Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Wait for God, for I shall still praise Him, For the salvation of His presence. Amplified Bible Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become restless and disturbed within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence. Christian Standard Bible Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God. Holman Christian Standard Bible Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God. American Standard Version 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 For the help of his countenance. Contemporary English Version Why am I discouraged? Why am I restless? I should trust you, LORD. I will praise you again because you help me, English Revised Version 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 for the health of his countenance. GOD'S WORD® Translation Why are you discouraged, my soul? Why are you so restless? Put your hope in God, because I will still praise him. He is my savior and my God. Good News Translation Why am I so sad? Why am I so troubled? I will put my hope in God, and once again I will praise him, my savior and my God. International Standard Version Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for once again I will praise him, since his presence saves me. Majority Standard Bible Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence. NET Bible Why are you depressed, O my soul? Why are you upset? Wait for God! For I will again give thanks to my God for his saving intervention. New Heart English Bible Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God. For I will again give him thanks, my saving presence and my God. Webster's Bible Translation 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. World English Bible Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him for the saving help of his presence. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWhy bow yourself, O my soul? Indeed, are you troubled within me? Wait for God, for I still confess Him: The salvation of my countenance—my God! Young's Literal Translation What! bowest thou thyself, O my soul? Yea, art thou troubled within me? Wait for God, for still I confess Him: The salvation of my countenance -- My God! Smith's Literal Translation Why wilt thou be bowed down, O my soul? and be disturbed upon me? Hope upon God, for yet shall I praise him for the salvation of his face. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWhy art thou sad, O my soul? and why dost thou trouble me? Hope in God, for I will still give praise to him : the salvation of my countenance, Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible Why are you downcast, my soul; why do you groan within me? Wait for God, for I shall again praise him, my savior and my God. New Revised Standard Version Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhy are you troubled, O my soul? and why are you bewildered? Trust in God; for I shall yet praise him, the Saviour of my honour and my God. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Why are you troubled, my soul, and why have you perplexed me? Wait for God, because again I shall praise him, the Savior of my whole being, and my God. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why moanest thou within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise Him For the salvation of His countenance. Brenton Septuagint Translation Wherefore art thou very sad, O my soul? and wherefore dost thou trouble me? hope in God; for I will give thanks to him; he is the salvation of my countenance. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Blessed is He who Cares for the Poor…4These things come to mind as I pour out my soul: how I walked with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God with shouts of joy and praise. 5Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence. 6O my God, my soul despairs within me. Therefore I remember You from the land of Jordan and the peaks of Hermon—even from Mount Mizar.… Cross References Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. / For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. / And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well. Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, / who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. Hebrews 13:5-6 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” / So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Romans 5:3-5 Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; / perseverance, character; and character, hope. / And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. / For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. / So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, / because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. / Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. Lamentations 3:21-24 Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope: / Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. / They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! ... Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope. Isaiah 26:3-4 You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You. / Trust in the LORD forever, because GOD the LORD is the Rock eternal. Treasury of Scripture Why are you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disquieted in me? hope you in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. Why art thou cast down [heb. Psalm 42:11 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. Psalm 35:14 I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother. Psalm 43:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. hope Psalm 27:13,14 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living… Psalm 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Psalm 56:3,11 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee… praise him. Psalm 44:3 For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them. Psalm 91:15,16 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him… Numbers 6:26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Jump to Previous Cast Countenance Crushed Despair Disquieted Disturbed Help Hope Moanest Praise Presence Salvation Saving Savior Soul Troubled WithinJump to Next Cast Countenance Crushed Despair Disquieted Disturbed Help Hope Moanest Praise Presence Salvation Saving Savior Soul Troubled WithinPsalm 42 1. David's zeal to serve God in the temple5. He encourages his soul to trust in God Why are you downcast, O my soul? This phrase reflects a deep introspection and emotional turmoil. The psalmist is speaking to his own soul, indicating a personal struggle with despair or depression. In biblical context, the soul often represents the inner self, encompassing emotions, thoughts, and spiritual life. This introspection is common in the Psalms, where the writers frequently express their innermost feelings to God. The term "downcast" suggests a state of being brought low, which can be linked to the trials and tribulations faced by the Israelites, such as exile or persecution. This phrase invites readers to consider their own spiritual and emotional state, encouraging self-examination in light of God's promises. Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Sons of KorahThe authors of Psalm 42, a group of Levitical singers and musicians in the temple worship. 2. David (Possible Context) While not explicitly mentioned, the psalm reflects themes common in David's life, such as distress and hope in God. 3. The Temple The place of worship and the presence of God, which the psalmist longs for. 4. The Soul Represents the inner self, emotions, and spiritual state of the psalmist. 5. God The object of hope and source of salvation and presence. Teaching Points Understanding Emotional TurmoilRecognize that feeling downcast or uneasy is a common human experience, even for believers. The Role of Self-Examination The psalmist's questioning of his own soul encourages introspection and honesty before God. Hope as a Choice Putting hope in God is an intentional act of faith, especially during difficult times. The Power of Praise Praising God can shift our focus from our problems to His presence and salvation. God's Presence as Salvation True salvation and peace are found in the presence of God, not in the absence of trouble.(5) Why art thou.--The refrain here breaks in on the song like a sigh, the spirit of dejection struggling against the spirit of faith. Cast down.--Better, as in margin, bowed down, and in the original with a middle sense, "why bowest thou down thyself?" Disquieted.--From root kindred to and with the meaning of our word "hum." The idea of "internal emotion" is easily derivable from its use. We see the process in such expressions as Isaiah 16:11, "My bowels shall sound like a harp for Moab." For the help of his countenance.--There is no question but that we must read the refrain here as it is in Psa. 42:12, and in Psalm 43:5. The LXX. and Vulg. already have done so, and one Hebrew MS. notices the wrong accentuation of the text here. The rhythm without this change is defective, and the refrain unnecessarily altered. Such alteration, however, from comparison of Psalm 24:8; Psalm 24:10; Psalm 49:12; Psalm 49:20; Psalm 56:4; Psalm 56:10; Psalm 59:9; Psalm 59:17, is not unusual. . . . Verse 5. - Why art thou cast down? or, Why art thou bowed down? i.e. brought low - a term indicative of the very extreme of dejection. O my soul. The spirit, or higher reason, rebukes the "soul," or passionate nature, for allowing itself to be so depressed, and seeks to encourage and upraise it. And why art thou so disquieted in me? rather, Why dost thou make thy moan over me? literally, make a roaring noise like the sea (comp. Psalm 46:3; Jeremiah 4:19; Jeremiah 5:22). Hope thou in God (comp. Psalm 33:22; Psalm 39:7, etc.). For I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. Another reading assimilates the refrain here to the form which it takes in ver. 11 and in Psalm 43:5. But, as Hengstenberg observes, Hebrew poets, and indeed poets generally, avoid an absolute identity of phrase, even in refrains (see Psalm 24:8, 10; Psalm 49:12, 20; Psalm 56:4, 11, etc.).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Whyמַה־ (mah-) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what are you downcast, תִּשְׁתּ֬וֹחֲחִ֨י ׀ (tiš·tō·w·ḥă·ḥî) Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - second person feminine singular Strong's 7817: To bow, be bowed down, crouch O my soul? נַפְשִׁי֮ (nap̄·šî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion Why the unease וַתֶּהֱמִ֪י (wat·te·hĕ·mî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - second person feminine singular Strong's 1993: To make a, loud sound, commotion, tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor within me? עָ֫לָ֥י (‘ā·lāy) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against Put your hope הוֹחִ֣ילִי (hō·w·ḥî·lî) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - feminine singular Strong's 3176: To wait, to be patient, hope in God, לֵֽ֭אלֹהִים (lê·lō·hîm) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative for כִּי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction I shall yet ע֥וֹד (‘ō·wḏ) Adverb Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more praise Him אוֹדֶ֗נּוּ (’ō·w·ḏen·nū) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 3034: To throw, at, away, to revere, worship, to bemoan for the salvation יְשׁוּע֥וֹת (yə·šū·‘ō·wṯ) Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 3444: Something saved, deliverance, aid, victory, prosperity of His presence. פָּנָֽיו׃ (pā·nāw) Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 6440: The face Links Psalm 42:5 NIVPsalm 42:5 NLT Psalm 42:5 ESV Psalm 42:5 NASB Psalm 42:5 KJV Psalm 42:5 BibleApps.com Psalm 42:5 Biblia Paralela Psalm 42:5 Chinese Bible Psalm 42:5 French Bible Psalm 42:5 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Psalm 42:5 Why are you in despair my soul? 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