Psalm 42 (41):4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

When a non-believer asks me about my God, I cannot respond by asking, "Where is your God?" since they can easily indicate a deity of their choosing. They might point to a stone and declare, "This is my God. Now, where is yours?" As I chuckle at the stone, the one who presented it may feel embarrassed. They might then look away from the stone and gaze upon the heavens, perhaps even pointing to the sun as they exclaim, "Behold, this is my God." Again, I am asked, "Where is your God?" The individual perceives tangible forms with their physical sight; however, I remain silent, not due to a lack of evidence, but because they do not possess the means to perceive what I could reveal. They can show me the sun with their earthly sight, but what eyes can I use to demonstrate to them the Creator of the sun?

Having committed themselves to prayer and fasting during the entire Quadricentennial, lying in sackcloth and ashes, they sought eternal life through the acknowledgment of their transgressions. Their tears and sorrow prompted the reminder, ‘Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy’ (Psalm 125:5) and ‘Blessed are those who weep, for they shall be comforted’ (Matthew 5:5).

My weeping has been my sustenance, both day and night, as I consistently cried out to You, "Where is your God?" These memories weigh heavily on my spirit, and I have laid them bare before my soul. The Prophet speaks of constant mourning; his sorrow was unquenchable, akin to turning his tears into a source of nourishment, enduring the taunts directed towards You. Those who oppose me ridicule me, depicting Your concern for me as so feeble that it pales in comparison to their might. Consequently, as I reflect on these matters without pause, my tears continue to flow. This encapsulates the expression, "My soul is poured out upon me," signifying that I have been overwhelmed with tears and compelled to lament.

My tears have been my nourishment both day and night, as they repeatedly ask me, “Where is your God?” When the Babylonians mock Him in their scorn, questioning where He is to offer assistance, I find that my tears have become essential sustenance; I crave and thirst for them like one would for bread. Just as bread is a basic necessity for all, so too are tears necessary for me. This yearning for tears accompanies me not only during the day but also through the night; that is, I—your people—long to weep continuously, unable to tolerate such dishonor done to my God. St. Neil expresses that anyone who weeps sincerely, and not in vain, but with a heart full of love for God, is nourished by tears akin to bread.

Tears can stem from various emotions or virtues without being uniform in their origin. In their distinct manner, tears can arise from reflecting on our transgressions, which cut into our hearts like a thorn, as expressed in the scripture: I am weary from my sighs, every night I wash my bed; with my tears I water my couch (Psalm 6:7). On the other hand, there are tears that flow from the contemplation of eternal rewards and the yearning to behold the resplendent glory of heaven. Such abundant tears pour forth from profound joy and elation that cannot be contained, as our souls yearn for the living God, prompting us to cry out, ‘When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night.’

Mourn for your past, earthly existence from which you have not yet been separated; lament your transgressions, not solely because of the threat of eternal damnation, but even more because you have been unfaithful to the Lord, your Creator, who loves you deeply, and because you have shown ingratitude toward Christ, who endured suffering for your sake, thus causing sorrow to the Holy Spirit. Weep with heartfelt tears, tears born of loving sorrow; find sustenance in these tears, as it is said, ‘My tears are my bread day and night’ (Ps. 41:4).

This illustrates another source of affliction that deeply wounded his spirit through the actions of wicked individuals. Without question, Satan intensified his assaults, aimed at breaking his spirit further, suggesting, 'What do you seek from God? Are you not aware that you have been cast aside by Him? He wishes to be honored in His sanctuary, yet you are barred from entering, destined to perish in your separation.' Such provocations could have severely undermined the faith of this righteous person had he not stood firm, empowered by the Holy Spirit. It is common for us to experience sorrow and distress while still partaking in food and drink; however, the one who must abandon nourishment and weeps continuously without sustenance clearly experiences profound grief.

This Psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit and delivered through David, reflects his deep devotion to God as he yearns to witness the Lord’s covenant, which he could not access due to persecution. He prophetically encourages all believers to love with their whole hearts until the end, through Christ, the Lord God of humanity. Directed to the sons of Korah, who led the singers, he instructs them to sing thoughtfully, enabling both singers and listeners to grasp the profound mysteries within this Psalm concerning the divine graces that Christ, our Lord, has bestowed upon the world, especially as foretold at the culmination of the ages (Galatians 4).