Psalm 43

Psalms 42 and 43. Far from home

•Although each of these two psalms can stand alone, they are actually two parts of a cohesive poem, one of the most poignantly beautiful in the Psalter. Not only do they share a common title, but the soliloquy "Why go I mourning..." appears in both (42:9; 43:2). Additionally, the refrain that concludes the two sections of Psalm 42 at verses 5 and 11 is repeated a third time at 43:5, bringing the entire piece to a close. This psalm expresses the lament of a temple singer exiled in the north, near the rising of the Jordan, who yearns to return to God's house. He transforms his longing into steadfast faith and hope in God himself.