Psalm 42:7 says, “Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me.” This verse poetically expresses the psalmist’s intense longing for God during a time of despair. The specific phrase “deep calls to deep” has become well-known and is open to several possible interpretations when understood in its context.
The Setting of Psalm 42
Psalm 42 is attributed to the sons of Korah and is titled a “Maskil.” The sons of Korah were Levite temple musicians during the time of King David. “Maskil” likely indicates that this is a contemplative or instructive psalm. The psalmist is in distress and longing for God’s presence, reminiscing about times of joyful worship in the temple. Based on the content and themes, many believe the context was during the Babylonian exile when the people of Israel were displaced from Jerusalem and the temple.
Meaning of “Deep”
“Deep” (Hebrew tehom) often refers to the depths of the sea. The seas were seen as mysterious and dangerous realms. The deep waters symbolized chaos, turmoil, and forces beyond human control. The psalmist felt overwhelmed like he was drowning in deep waters.
The “deep” could also represent the psalmist’s inner being – his soul yearning for God. He had profound despair and loneliness, figuratively like sinking in deep waters. His very core was stirred up in longing for God’s presence.
Longing for God’s Presence
This verse expresses the psalmist’s intense longing for God’s presence and comfort during a difficult exile. Two main theories have emerged about the meaning of “deep calls to deep”:
- Deep anguish calls out to the deep resources of God’s love. The psalmist’s profound pain and turmoil cry out to the deep reserve of God’s grace and strength. As low as he feels, God’s love runs deeper. This view sees “the deep” as the psalmist’s inner anguish.
- Deep in the psalmist’s soul calls to the deep places where God abides. The deepest recesses of the psalmist’s being calls out in search of the deep dwelling place of God. His soul yearns to connect with God’s spirit. Here “the deep” points to the innermost sanctuary of God’s presence.
In both interpretations, there is a powerful sense of the psalmist’s despair and his desire to reconnect with God in a deep, intimate way. Though in anguish, he knows God is his hope and salvation.
Overwhelmed Like the Waves and Waterfalls
The verse continues with the psalmist feeling overwhelmed by powerful forces. He says “all your breakers and your waves have gone over me.” Breakers are waves crashing to shore; waves represent forces tossing him about. Like the tumultuous waters of the deep sea, trials and troubles have engulfed him.
Some think “the roar of your waterfalls” compares these forces to the thunderous, overwhelming roar of a waterfall. The psalmist cannot withstand the “waves” of affliction crashing down like a relentless waterfall. He desperately needs God to rescue him. Others see the waterfall as another metaphor of deeply longing and calling out to God.
Applications for Today
While we may not relate to the exile, many modern readers connect with the sentiments. We all face times when we feel lost, overwhelmed by trials, or distant from God. This passage offers hope and comfort:
- God’s love runs deeper than our troubles or feelings of isolation.
- We can always call out to God who hears our cries.
- Even in the deepest anguish, God is there if we seek him wholeheartedly.
- God’s spirit resides within us, so we can reconnect with him in the deep places of our soul.
- The roar of water reminds us of God’s overwhelming power – if we call to him, he can calm the breakers and waves.
No matter how profoundly we hurt, no matter how hard the forces pressing in, God cares. His love is deeper and wider than we can fathom. Though he may seem distant, he hears and responds when we call out from our innermost being. He can speak peace to the deepest depths of our soul.
Other Key Verses
Here are some other verses related to the deep calls to deep theme:
Psalm 69:1-2 – Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me.
Psalm 130:1-2 – Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
Psalm 42:5, 11 – Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation…Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
Isaiah 55:10-11 – For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Psalm 42:7 beautifully expresses the longing for God that we all feel at times in a fallen world full of troubles. No matter how deep our pain runs, God offers comfort and hope if we call out to him from our innermost being. His love runs deeper still.
