Psalms 42

Korah] This, and ten other Psalmes, without Davids name in the Title, are inscribed for Korah’s posterity, to be sung in the Temple, with voice, and instrument. Heman the singer, the grandchilde of Samuel the Prophet, being one of his posterity, 1 Chron. VI. 33,—43. See the Observations on Num. XVI. 32.

This Psalme seemes written by David; and when he was banished by Absolom, or Saub rather, from the Sanctuary, and sacred Assemblies, and Solemnities, verse 1, 2, 4, 6. 9.

Psalms 42:1

As the Hart] Or Hinde. The LXX. hath it, the Hinde; reading the Hebrew here in the foeminine gender; for which the Hebrews render divers reasons. And though the Hebrews have a word of the masculine gender for the Hart, and of the foeminine gender for the Hind; yet by either of them many times the other sex is understood. And so it is also in other names of beasts with the Hebrews. As in Zech. IX. 9. the word for Asse is of the masculine gender, yet the female sex is thereby understood, Matth. XXI. 2. So the name of the fish which swallowed Jonas is named both in the masculine, and in the foeminine termination. See Jer. II. 24.

Psalms 42:4

Kept holy day] Three solemne feasts in the year. At their solemne Assemblies, and Sacrifices they kept feasts, with dancing and joy; Exod. XXIII. 14. and XXXII. 5, 6 19. Deut. XVI. 14, 15. Judg. XXI. 19, 21. Esay XXX. 29.

Psalms 42:5

for the help of his countenance] Or, his presence is salvations i. e. most ample, firme, absolute, and perfect salvation. For so the Plural number is used to advance and amplifie the matter subject whereunto it is applied, as in this word, Ps. XVIII. 2. & XXVIII. 8, and XLIV. 4. and LXXIV. 12. So in others; as may be seene in the Observations on Psal. LI. 17.

Psalms 42:6

from the land of Jordan] From the places of his banishment, in the borders of the land.

Psalms 42:7

Deep] Afflictions upon afflictions, breaking in as billowes, wallowing as waves, upon me: and the noise of one calling as it were for another.