Psalms 42:9

I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

I will say {H559}{H8799)} unto God {H410} my rock {H5553}, Why hast thou forgotten {H7911}{H8804)} me? why go {H3212}{H8799)} I mourning {H6937}{H8802)} because of the oppression {H3906} of the enemy {H341}{H8802)}?

I say to God my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, under pressure by the enemy?

I say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why must I walk in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression?”

I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

Psalm 42:9 is a poignant cry from the heart of a psalmist experiencing deep distress and a sense of abandonment. It encapsulates the raw emotion of a believer who, despite acknowledging God's steadfastness, feels overlooked in their suffering.

Context

Psalm 42, along with Psalm 43 (which is often considered its continuation), is a lament psalm from the Sons of Korah. The psalmist is likely in exile or separated from the sanctuary in Jerusalem, longing for God's presence as a deer pants for water. Throughout the psalm, there's a recurring internal dialogue where the psalmist questions their soul's despair while simultaneously reminding themselves to hope in God. This particular verse is a direct, anguished question posed to God, revealing the depth of their sorrow and the reality of their external struggles.

Key Themes

  • Honest Lament and Questioning God: The verse demonstrates that it is permissible, even vital, to bring our deepest questions and feelings of neglect to God. The psalmist doesn't deny God's power or character, but rather expresses genuine bewilderment at their current circumstances.
  • God as "My Rock": Despite the feeling of being forgotten, the psalmist addresses God as "my rock" (Hebrew: tsur, צוּר), signifying their foundational belief in God's strength, stability, and refuge. This title underscores a deep theological understanding of God's unchanging nature, even when His actions feel distant. God is often referred to as a rock in the Psalms, a symbol of unwavering reliability.
  • Feeling Forgotten by God: The question "Why hast thou forgotten me?" articulates a profound human experience of feeling abandoned or ignored by God during times of intense suffering. This isn't a statement of theological fact (God does not forget His people, as seen in Isaiah 49:15), but an expression of emotional pain.
  • Oppression of the Enemy: The lament is compounded by external pressure. The "oppression of the enemy" (Hebrew: lachats, לַחַץ) refers to the distress, affliction, or pressure caused by adversaries, which contributes significantly to the psalmist's "mourning" (Hebrew: qadar, קָדַר, meaning to be dark or gloomy).

Linguistic Insights

The term "my rock" (Hebrew: tsur, צוּר) emphasizes God's enduring strength and reliability as a refuge, even when the psalmist feels vulnerable. The verb "forgotten" (Hebrew: shakach, שָׁכַח) conveys a deep sense of neglect or abandonment, highlighting the emotional distress rather than a theological assertion about God's memory. "Mourning" (Hebrew: qadar, קָדַר) paints a picture of dark, somber despair, while "oppression" (Hebrew: lachats, לַחַץ) describes the crushing burden of external affliction.

Practical Application

Psalm 42:9 offers immense comfort to those who feel distant from God or overwhelmed by life's hardships. It validates the human experience of doubt, sorrow, and questioning, assuring us that such honest expressions are welcome in prayer. Even when we feel forgotten, we can still cling to the truth of God's character as our unwavering "rock." This verse encourages believers to bring their true feelings, no matter how raw, before God, trusting that He hears and cares, even when the answer isn't immediately apparent. It's a powerful reminder that faith can coexist with lament, and hope can be found even in the midst of despair.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 38:6

    I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.

  • Psalms 43:2

    For thou [art] the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

  • Psalms 18:2

    The LORD [is] 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, [and] my high tower.

  • Lamentations 5:1

    ¶ Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach.

  • Lamentations 5:16

    The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned!

  • Psalms 44:23

    Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast [us] not off for ever.

  • Psalms 44:24

    Wherefore hidest thou thy face, [and] forgettest our affliction and our oppression?
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