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Psalms 42:1 — King James Version← Study notes

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.


Psalms 42:1Hebrew Interlinear

Hebrew · Psalms 42:14 words
HebrewMeaning
לַ/מְנַצֵּ֗חַlamənaṣēḥa
to the choirmasterpronH5329
chief musician · oversee · set forward
מַשְׂכִּ֥ילmaśəkiyl
a poemnounH4905
לִ/בְנֵיlibənēy
of the sons ofpronH1121
afflicted · ite · ed one · appointed to ···
קֹֽרַחqōraḥ
KorahnounH7141
Words are listed top to bottom following the original right-to-left reading order. אֵת (ʾēṯ) is a direct object marker with no English equivalent, shown faded.

Church Fathers on Psalms 42:1

1. We have undertaken the exposition of a Psalm corresponding to your own “longings,” on which we propose to speak to you. For the Psalm itself begins with a certain pious “longing;” and he who sings so, says, “Like as the hart desires the water-brooks, so longs my soul after You, O God” Psalm 41:1. Who is it then that says this? It is ourselves, if we be but willing! And why ask, who it is other than yourself, when it is in your power to be the thing which you are asking…

Augustine · 4th century · Exposition on Psalm 42 (excerpt)
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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David OseiNote3mo ago
As the deer pants
This image of the deer panting after water is one of the most honest descriptions of spiritual longing I have encountered. The psalmist is not performing devotion - he is thirsting. There is a rawness...
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