In the title "Machil" in the Hebrew means "instruction", and that instruction is to "the sons of Korah". This chapter 42 marks the first of eleven Psalms distinguished where Korah died by Divine judgment (Numbers 16:31-35). These eleven Psalms are (42, 44-49, 84, 85, 87, and 88). Though Korah died by divine judgment, his sons were spared in grace, as we read in Numbers 16:32; "And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods." Korah was the cousin to Moses and Aaron, and Korah fought against them so God killed Korah. However Korah's sons were saved by divine grace.

Just as the book of Exodus starts with the children of Israel crying out to God from help, and that is also how the Exodus of the Psalms starts. So we will see in within the first seven chapters of this Exodus, the ruin of Israel, and it does not look well. However we will have an example set here as to what God's children should watch out for and not do. Then from Chapter 50 to 60 of Psalms we will see the redeemer coming on the scene, and the rest of the book dealing with the Exodus from 61 to 72 we will redemption of the people.

So this volume of Psalms will record the deeds of the book of Exodus, when Moses lead the Israelites, our people to the promise land.

Psalms 42:1 "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, So panteth my soul after Thee, O God."

Lets straighten this translation out a bit, The a hart is a deer, but the "brooks" are not flowing brooks like we think of a brook, but channels of water flowing in gorges or pipes, in difficult places. Sure the water is there, but there is very limited access to the water by a wild creature, such as a panting deer that has been running and working hard. So lets see how the verse reads; "As the deer longs for the water that is hidden in water pipes, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God."

Psalms 42:2 "My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: When shall I come and appear before God?"

Our heavenly Father is watching over us today, and cares for our needs; However this is talking about how it was in the days of old, that time in the wilderness; during the coming out of captivity. We have the Holy Spirit with us today, but we know that very shortly our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be with us again in person. Now we thirst after Him for He is the fountain of all living water. Our soul thirsts after a living God, not some idol or stone, but our Lord in Person.

Mankind has pondered this question since the foundation of this earth age; When will the judgment come? When shall I see my maker face to face, standing before Him? It is a sobering thought, yet when we are in Him, that time is a time of rewards. Those people living today with eyes to see and ears to hear with understanding look forward to that day we are in the presence of our Lord.

Psalms 42:3 "My tears have been my meat day and night, While they continually say unto me, "Where is thy God:"

My tears have been my food both day and night. There is a day coming very shortly when Satan the Antichrist will set foot on this earth. This we are told in Revelation 12:7 -9, and II Thessalonians 2:4. Most of those that call themselves Christians will accept Satan as their messiah, of course in ignorance. And when you that have eyes to see and ears to hear the truth with understanding do not accept Satan as your messiah, they will say to you: "Where is thy God?" Their god will be standing right there in front of them, doing all his supernatural tricks, and they simply cannot understand that they have bowed to Satan.

Paul has told us that they have been blinded for their own protection. Romans 11:7, 8; "What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hat obtained it, and the rest were blinded (According as it is written, "God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear";) unto this day."

Jesus also told us this in Matthew 13:10-16. Jesus told us that they simply do not have the ears to hear with understanding, nor did our Lord intend them to hear. This was done to them for their own protection.

Psalms 42:4 "When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: For I had gone with them to the house of God, While the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday."

When I think on these things, that is the reason for my tears. When I ponder on these things and the time before the captivity; I remember when we all use to go up to Beth-el, to the house of God, and those times were so precious for we lifted up our voice in joy and praise, and with the multitude that kept those holy feast days. Think of how great it must have been.

Psalms 42:5 "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."

If you have this question in your mind, Why am I so unsettled? The answer is right here, "Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance." In ever Psalm where there is trouble, the Psalmist has placed this promise in that chapter. It is the Hope that we have when things look down and in despair. "Hope thou in God," means to "Have Faith in God". You trust him in your heart when you physical eyes can not see the results. Our Father is an eternal God, and you can count on Him.

Psalms 42:6 "O my God, my soul is cast down within me: Therefore will I remember Thee from the land of Jordan, And of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar."

They could get a little down some times, but there they were in captivity. He is saying that he could remember crossing the Jordan, and looking up at the twin peaks of Mount Hermon, and even the little [mizar] hills standing before it. He is meditation and pondering the good old times.

Psalms 42:7 "Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of Thy waterspouts [waterfalls]: All Thy waves and Thy billows are gone over me."

Psalms 42:8 "Yet the Lord will command His loving kindness in the daytime, And in the night His song shall be with me, And my prayer unto the God of my life."

Don't read over this verse, for you simply do not have life without the life that comes from our heavenly Father. That life comes from your repentance in the name of Jesus, for in Christ there is eternal life. This is a promise from our Lord to you, that He will command His loving kindness all day long as well as all night through when you are in Him. This living kindness doesn't just come your way, but it requires your prayer for action on the part of the God of your life. You use that open channel to the Father, and it must be in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that that is the only way. You lay out your problems and your soul before Him, and ask him for strength and help. Let Him know when you hurt, and thank Him for the help He gives. That is God's promise to you, and He is there waiting to talk with you.

We are in another generation like the Exodus, for we are about to enter into another promise land, when our Lord Jesus Christ will be with us forever.

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?" 

It could happen that we feel down and out, and cry out "God why have you allowed this to happen to me?" But you had better be strong enough to wake up, for in this generation, to God's elect there will not be very much time to be down and full of tears. All it takes is to bow your knee and ask Father for His help. However God's elect will not bow their knee to Antichrist. Those that understand the parables and have the seal of God in their minds will not bow even for one moment.

Psalms 42:10 "As with the sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; While they say daily unto me, "Where is thy God?"

Anyone that cannot see that time in prophecy that is coming very shortly, will simply not understand why you will not bend a knee to their messiah, Satan.

Psalms 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."

Why do you get down, my friend, Have faith in God. Here it is the second time in this chapter, urging you to have faith in God. Faith requires an action on your part, and that action is based on the confidence that you have in you belief in God's Holy Word. When God said it in the promises of His Word, you take that promise and act on it. There is no doubt in your decision or your action, for you know that God will provide and see you through.

When He is the health of my countenance, it means that your eyes mirror you soul, and if God is the captain of your soul than the love of God, then the love of God comes forth from your eyes, and your countenance shines. When you pass by, people will see Christ in you and say, there goes a man or woman of God.