What does Psalm 42:8 mean?
In this verse, the psalmist's focus turns from his trials (Psalm 42:3, 5–7, 9–10). He acknowledges the Lord's unfailing love and joy are greater than his earthly struggles. Earlier in the psalm, the writer compared his desire for God to that of a thirsty animal (Psalm 42:1), or a deep need calling out for an equally deep response (Psalm 42:7).The apostle Paul experienced harsh conditions as he served the Lord (2 Corinthians 11:21–33). Yet he knew nothing could separate him from God's love. He writes in Romans 8:38–39: "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Even when he was under house arrest and undergoing a trial that would determine whether he would live or die, Paul's joy in the Lord spilled over. He penned the letter to the Philippians that reveals his joy in the Lord (Philippians 1:18–19) and his exhortation to his readers to "rejoice in the Lord" (Philippians 4:4).
