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Psalms 42 · Grade 4

Talking to Your Soul

Name Date

Read and Think

Psalm 42's title says it is For the Chief Musician, a contemplation by the sons of Korah. The writer feels far from God. As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God. To pant is to breathe hard, like a thirsty animal. He cries day and night, and people mock him: Where is your God? He remembers better days, when he led the crowd to God's house with the voice of joy and praise.

Twice he speaks to his own soul: Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him. He does not pretend he is fine. He tells his feelings the truth about God. All your waves and your billows have swept over me, he says, yet Yahweh will command his loving kindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me. In the New Testament, Jesus says, If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink (John 7:37).

Show What You Know

  1. What does pant mean?

  2. What did people ask to mock him?

  3. What does he tell his soul?

  4. In the New Testament, what does Jesus invite the thirsty to do?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

deerGodHopesoulpraise
  1. The writer feels far from .
  2. As the pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God.
  3. Twice he speaks to his own : Why are you in despair, my soul?
  4. in God!
  5. For I shall still him.

Think About It

  1. The writer told his own soul to hope in God. What true thing about God can you tell yourself when you feel sad?

  2. How is wanting God like being thirsty? What helps you draw near to God?

Memory Verse

“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.”

Psalms 42:5 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for being my hope. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • When do you long to be close to God?
  • The writer remembered God from far-off places. How can remembering God help you when you feel far from church?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.