Psalms · Chapter 42 · Hope
Psalms 42:11 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
Hope is the anchor that holds when feelings cannot.
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him, the saving help of my countenance, and my God."
KJV · King James Version
"Why art thou cast down7817, O my soul5315? and why art thou disquieted1993 within me? hope3176 thou in God430: for I shall yet praise3034 him, who is the health3444 of my countenance6440, and my God430."
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses art, thou, cast, down, while the WEB renders these as are, you, despair, disturbed. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
Psalms 42:11 in Psalms 42
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is Psalms 42:11 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of Psalms 42. Read the full chapter →
- v.9 I will ask God, my rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”
- v.10 As with a sword in my bones, my adversaries reproach me, while they continually ask me, “Where is your God?”
- v.11 Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him, the saving help of my countenance, and my God.
Book background
About the Book of Psalms
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Genre
- Hebrew poetry
- Author
- David (73 psalms), Asaph, Sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, others
- Date written
- c. 1410–430 BC (compiled over a millennium)
- Audience
- All of Israel's worshipping community — and the church
- Chapters
- 150
The Psalms are 150 inspired songs and prayers covering every emotion the human heart knows — praise, lament, confession, thanksgiving, anger, longing. About half are attributed to David. The book is divided into five "books," each ending with a doxology. The Psalms shape Christian prayer more than any other Old Testament book and are quoted in the New Testament more than any other.
Setting: 150 sacred songs used in temple worship; the Bible's songbook.
Key themes: worship · lament · trust · kingship · thanksgiving
Memorisation aid
How to memorise Psalms 42:11
Psalms 42:11 contains 31 words in 4 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
Why are you in despair
WAYID
- 2
my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him
MSWAYD
- 3
the saving help of my countenance
TSHOMC
- 4
and my God.
AMG
Frequently asked
FAQ about Psalms 42:11
What does Psalms 42:11 say?
Psalms 42:11 reads: "Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him, the saving help of my countenance, and my God." — from the Old Testament, Psalms (Hebrew poetry). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is Psalms 42:11 in?
Psalms 42:11 is in the book of Psalms, traditionally attributed to David (73 psalms), Asaph, Sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, others and written around c. 1410–430 BC (compiled over a millennium). Psalms is hebrew poetry in the Old Testament, originally addressed to All of Israel's worshipping community — and the church. Best known for Psalm 23 ("The LORD is my shepherd") and Psalm 51.
What is Psalms 42:11 about?
Psalms 42:11 is primarily a Bible verse about Hope, with related themes including Anxiety. Within Psalms, The Psalms are 150 inspired songs and prayers covering every emotion the human heart knows — praise, lament, confession, thanksgiving, anger, longing. Read the full passage above with surrounding context.
What is the difference between Psalms 42:11 in WEB and KJV?
Psalms 42:11 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him, the saving help of my countenance, and my God.". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "Why art thou cast down7817, O my soul5315? and why art thou disquieted1993 within me? hope3176 thou in God430: for I shall yet praise3034 him, who is the health3444 of my countenance6440, and my God430.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is Psalms 42:11?
Psalms 42:11 is 31 words in the WEB translation (155 characters), broken into 4 clauses. It is a longer verse, often broken into smaller phrases for memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 9 seconds.
How can I memorise Psalms 42:11?
To memorise Psalms 42:11, split it into its 4 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does Psalms 42:11 matter in Psalms?
The Psalms are 150 inspired songs and prayers covering every emotion the human heart knows — praise, lament, confession, thanksgiving, anger, longing. About half are attributed to David. The book is divided into five "books," each ending with a doxology. The Psalms shape Christian prayer more than any other Old Testament book and are quoted in the New Testament more than any other. Psalms 42:11 sits within this larger story — Psalms as a whole emphasises worship, lament, trust.
How can I apply Psalms 42:11 today?
Many readers use Psalms 42:11 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download Psalms 42:11 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
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10 verses to read next
A fresh set of verses every visit — each on its own photo background. Tap any card to open the full study page.
-
Psalms 23:1
“A Psalm by David. Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.”
Read context →
-
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
Read context →
-
Romans 8:28
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Read context →
-
Psalms 23:4
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Read context →
-
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and no…”
Read context →
-
Lamentations 3:22-23
“It is because of Yahweh's loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassion doesn't fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithf…”
Read context →
-
Psalm 23:1
“Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.”
Read context →
-
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a latter end.”
Read context →
-
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.””
Read context →
-
1 Corinthians 13:13
“But now faith, hope, and love remain — these three. The greatest of these is love.”
Read context →
More featured verses in Psalms 42
Read full chapter → Psalms 42:1
“For the Chief Musician. A contemplation by the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God.”
Read context →
Psalm 42:11
“Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him, the saving help of my countenance, and my God.”
Read context →
More featured verses in Psalms
Browse Psalms → Psalms 23:1
“A Psalm by David. Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.”
Read context →
Psalm 23:1
“Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.”
Read context →
Psalms 23:4
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Read context →
Psalms 27:1
“By David. Yahweh is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Yahweh is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?”
Read context →