Psalm 42:5
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 Version
Why 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 Bible
Why 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
Why are you sad, my soul? And why do you disquiet me? Hope in God, for I will still confess to him: the salvation of my countenance,

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 Bible
Why 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 1917
Why 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 Within
Jump to Next
Cast Countenance Crushed Despair Disquieted Disturbed Help Hope Moanest Praise Presence Salvation Saving Savior Soul Troubled Within
Psalm 42
1. David's zeal to serve God in the temple
5. He encourages his soul to trust in God














Why are you downcast, O my soul?
The Hebrew word for "downcast" is "שָׁחַח" (shachach), which conveys a sense of being bowed down or brought low. This word paints a vivid picture of the psalmist's emotional state, reflecting a deep inner turmoil and depression. In the historical context, the psalmist, likely David or a descendant of Korah, is expressing a profound sense of despair, possibly due to exile or separation from the temple. The soul, or "נֶפֶשׁ" (nephesh), represents the entirety of one's being, emphasizing that this is not just a fleeting feeling but a deep-seated spiritual struggle.

Why the unease within me?
The term "unease" is translated from the Hebrew "הָמָה" (hamah), which means to murmur, growl, or roar. This suggests an internal commotion or restlessness, akin to the roaring of the sea. The psalmist is introspective, questioning the source of his inner turmoil. This phrase invites believers to examine their own hearts and recognize the spiritual battles that often manifest as emotional distress. Historically, this reflects the Israelites' struggles during times of captivity or oppression, where their faith was tested.

Put your hope in God
The Hebrew word for "hope" is "יָחַל" (yachal), which implies waiting with expectation. This is not a passive resignation but an active, confident anticipation of God's intervention. The psalmist commands his soul to redirect its focus from the present distress to the eternal faithfulness of God. In a conservative Christian perspective, this is a call to trust in God's promises, as revealed through Scripture, and to rely on His unchanging nature. The historical context of Israel's reliance on God during times of trial underscores the timelessness of this exhortation.

for I will yet praise Him
The phrase "I will yet praise" is a declaration of faith and determination. The Hebrew "אוֹדֶנּוּ" (odennu) suggests a future action, indicating that despite current circumstances, the psalmist is committed to worship. This reflects a deep-seated belief in God's sovereignty and goodness. In the broader scriptural context, praise is a recurring theme, often associated with deliverance and divine intervention. This phrase encourages believers to maintain a posture of worship, trusting that God will ultimately bring about His purposes.

for the salvation of His presence
The word "salvation" comes from the Hebrew "יְשׁוּעָה" (yeshuah), meaning deliverance or victory. The psalmist acknowledges that true deliverance comes from being in God's presence, which is a source of peace and restoration. The "presence" of God, or "פָּנִים" (panim), signifies His face or countenance, symbolizing intimacy and favor. Historically, the Israelites understood God's presence as dwelling in the temple, but for Christians, this presence is accessible through the Holy Spirit. This phrase reassures believers that God's presence is a refuge and a source of hope, even amidst life's trials.

(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
Why
מַה־ (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 NIV
Psalm 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? (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 42:4
Top of Page
Top of Page