Psalms 42:4

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

אֵ֤לֶּה H428
אֵ֤לֶּה
Strong's: H428
Word #: 1 of 17
these or those
אֶזְכְּרָ֨ה׀ When I remember H2142
אֶזְכְּרָ֨ה׀ When I remember
Strong's: H2142
Word #: 2 of 17
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
וְאֶשְׁפְּכָ֬ה these things I pour out H8210
וְאֶשְׁפְּכָ֬ה these things I pour out
Strong's: H8210
Word #: 3 of 17
to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc
עָלַ֨י׀ H5921
עָלַ֨י׀
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 4 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
נַפְשִׁ֗י my soul H5315
נַפְשִׁ֗י my soul
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 5 of 17
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
כִּ֤י H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 6 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֶֽעֱבֹ֨ר׀ in me for I had gone H5674
אֶֽעֱבֹ֨ר׀ in me for I had gone
Strong's: H5674
Word #: 7 of 17
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
בַּסָּךְ֮ with the multitude H5519
בַּסָּךְ֮ with the multitude
Strong's: H5519
Word #: 8 of 17
properly, a thicket of men, i.e., a crowd
אֶדַּדֵּ֗ם I went H1718
אֶדַּדֵּ֗ם I went
Strong's: H1718
Word #: 9 of 17
to walk gently
עַד H5704
עַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 10 of 17
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
בֵּ֥ית with them to the house H1004
בֵּ֥ית with them to the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 11 of 17
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֱלֹ֫הִ֥ים of God H430
אֱלֹ֫הִ֥ים of God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 12 of 17
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
בְּקוֹל with the voice H6963
בְּקוֹל with the voice
Strong's: H6963
Word #: 13 of 17
a voice or sound
רִנָּ֥ה of joy H7440
רִנָּ֥ה of joy
Strong's: H7440
Word #: 14 of 17
properly, a creaking (or shrill sound), i.e., shout (of joy or grief)
וְתוֹדָ֗ה and praise H8426
וְתוֹדָ֗ה and praise
Strong's: H8426
Word #: 15 of 17
properly, an extension of the hand, i.e., (by implication) avowal, or (usually) adoration; specifically, a choir of worshippers
הָמ֥וֹן with a multitude H1995
הָמ֥וֹן with a multitude
Strong's: H1995
Word #: 16 of 17
a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth
חוֹגֵֽג׃ that kept holyday H2287
חוֹגֵֽג׃ that kept holyday
Strong's: H2287
Word #: 17 of 17
properly, to move in a circle, i.e., (specifically) to march in a sacred procession, to observe a festival; by implication, to be giddy

Analysis & Commentary

The psalmist remembers going 'with the multitude' to 'the house of God' with 'the voice of joy and praise.' This memory intensifies present sorrow through contrast. The Hebrew hamon (multitude, crowd) suggests the joyful noise of pilgrim festivals. Exile from corporate worship compounds the suffering of physical distress.

Historical Context

Israel's pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles) gathered the nation at Jerusalem. Being cut off from these gatherings meant exile from God's presence and covenant community, a spiritual death.

Questions for Reflection

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