Psalms 42:2 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

Bible Comments

Thirsteth. — The metaphor occurs exactly in the same form (Psalms 63:1), and only calls for notice since “God” Himself is here made the subject of the thirst, instead of righteousness, or knowledge, or power, as in the familiar and frequent use of the metaphor in other parts of the Bible, and in other literature.

The living God. — Evidently, from the metaphor, regarded as the fountain or source of life. (Comp. Psalms 84:2; Psalms 36:9.)

Appear before God.Exodus 23:17 shows that this was the usual phrase for frequenting the sanctuary (comp. Psalms 84:7), though poetic brevity here slightly altered its form and construction.

Psalms 42:2

2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?