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?
Original Language Analysis
לְאֵ֥ל
unto God
H410
לְאֵ֥ל
unto God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
2 of 10
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
סַלְעִי֮
my rock
H5553
סַלְעִי֮
my rock
Strong's:
H5553
Word #:
3 of 10
a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)
לָמָ֪ה
H4100
לָמָ֪ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
4 of 10
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
שְׁכַ֫חְתָּ֥נִי
Why hast thou forgotten
H7911
שְׁכַ֫חְתָּ֥נִי
Why hast thou forgotten
Strong's:
H7911
Word #:
5 of 10
to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
לָֽמָּה
H4100
לָֽמָּה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
6 of 10
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
קֹדֵ֥ר
I mourning
H6937
קֹדֵ֥ר
I mourning
Strong's:
H6937
Word #:
7 of 10
to be ashy, i.e., dark-colored; by implication, to mourn (in sackcloth or sordid garments)
אֵלֵ֗ךְ
H1980
אֵלֵ֗ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
8 of 10
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Cross References
Psalms 38:6I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.Psalms 18:2The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.Psalms 43:2For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?Isaiah 40:27Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?
Historical Context
Lament psalms model honest prayer that expresses confusion and pain while maintaining relationship with God. This tradition influenced later Jewish and Christian prayer, legitimizing the expression of struggle before God.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is it important to ask 'why' questions to God rather than about God?
- How does direct complaint to God differ from bitter unbelief?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The psalmist addresses God directly: 'Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?' This is not doubt but dialogue, the honest complaint of faith that refuses to pretend. The questions assume God should act, evidence of underlying trust even amid apparent abandonment.