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Psalms 42 · Grade 5

Why Are You in Despair, My Soul?

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Read and Think

Psalm 42's title says it is For the Chief Musician, a contemplation by the sons of Korah. It is the honest prayer of someone who longs for God but feels far away. As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? His tears have been his food day and night, while people continually ask him, Where is your God?

Memory makes it harder and better. He remembers how he used to go with the crowd and led them to God's house, with the voice of joy and praise. Now he seems to be far away, remembering God from the land of the Jordan and the heights of Hermon. He says, Deep calls to deep at the noise of your waterfalls. All your waves and your billows have swept over me. He even asks God, my rock, Why have you forgotten me?

Yet the psalm keeps returning to a refrain. Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him, the saving help of my countenance, and my God. Instead of only listening to his feelings, he preaches to himself. In the middle of his sorrow he says, Yahweh will command his loving kindness in the daytime. In the night his song shall be with me: a prayer to the God of my life. In the New Testament, Jesus promises living water to those who come to him (John 4:14).

Show What You Know

  1. What question does the writer ask about appearing before God?

  2. What does the writer ask God, his rock?

  3. What does the refrain tell his soul to do?

  4. In the New Testament, what does Jesus promise those who come to him?

Crossword

42531

Across

  1. As the deer pants for the ____ brooks.
  2. As the ____ pants for the water brooks.
  3. And pour out my ____ within me.

Down

  1. My soul ____ for God.
  2. My ____ have been my food day and night.

Think About It

  1. The writer both asked God hard questions and told himself to hope. How can you be honest with God and still trust him?

  2. Instead of only listening to his feelings, he spoke truth to himself. What Bible truth could you speak to yourself on a hard day?

Memory Verse

“Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him, the saving help of my countenance, and my God.”

Psalms 42:11 (WEB)

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Prayer

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

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • The writer felt God's waves and breakers had gone over him. How can you trust God when sorrow feels overwhelming?
  • When do you feel a deep longing for God?
  • What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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.