Psalms 42:2

“We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.] These were musical instruments, used in the temple service by the Levites, who seem to be the persons here speaking; who took care of them, and preserved them from the plunder of the enemy; and carried them with them to Babylon, in hope of returning with them to use them as before, or to solace themselves and others in captivity; though now they had no heart to make use of them, their sorrow was so great, and therefore hung them upon the willows as useless things: these willows grew upon the banks of the rivers where they were, as such trees usually do; hence called willows of the brookf1818, and willows by water courses,…”

“appear before God--in acts of worship, the terms used in the command for the stated personal appearance of the Jews at the sanctuary.”

“My soul thirsteth for God - That is, as the hind thirsts for the running stream. For the living God - God, not merely as God, without anything more definitely specified, but God considered as living, as himself possessing life, and as having the power of imparting that life to the soul. When shall I come and appear before God? - That is, as I have been accustomed to do in the sanctuary. When shall I be restored to the privilege of again uniting with his people in public prayer and praise? The psalmist evidently expected that this would be; but to one who loves public worship the time seems long when he is prevented from enjoying that privilege. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Thirsteth - Not after vain useless idols, but after the only true and living God. Appear - In the place of his special presence and publick worship. Psalms 42:4”

“thirsteth: Psa 36:8, Psa 36:9, Psa 63:1; Joh 7:37; Rev 22:1 living: Job 23:3; Jer 2:13, Jer 10:10; Joh 5:26; Th1 1:9 when: Psa 27:4, Psa 84:4, Psa 84:10 Psalms 42:3”