Introduction
The psalmist earnestly longs for the ordinances of the Lord's house, Psalm 42:1-4 ; describes his deep distress, Psalm 42:5-7 ; endeavors to take comfort from the consideration that the Lord would appear in his behalf, Psalm 42:8 , Psalm 42:9 ; speaks of the insults of his enemies, Psalm 42:10 ; and again takes encouragement, Psalm 42:11 .
The title, To the chief Musician giving instruction to the sons of Korah. This is the first of the Psalms that has this title prefixed, and it is probable that such Psalms were composed by the descendants of Korah during the Babylonish captivity, or by some eminent person among those descendants, and that they were used by the Israelites during their long captivity, as means of consolation: and, indeed, most of the Psalms which bear this inscription are of the consoling kind and the sentiments appear to belong to that period of the Jewish history, and to none other. The word משכיל maskil , from שכל sakal , signifies to make wise, to direct wisely, to give instruction; and here is so understood by our translators, who have left this signification in the margin; and so the Versions in general.
The Syriac says, "It is a Psalm which David sung when he was an exile, and desired to return to Jerusalem." The Arabic says: "A Psalm for the backsliding Jews."
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