Psalm 42
If you read the note over this psalm, you will see the words, “for the sons of Korah.” This man was one who had been given certain duties for the Lord when the Tabernacle was first set up in the wilderness; but he was not satisfied with his place, and led others to speak against Moses and Aaron whom God had chosen to lead the people. He kept on in his sin and anger until the Lord sent sudden death to him and others. But the children of Korah were saved; we do not know if they were young grown up, but God showed mercy to them; and for very many years after, ones from this family were chosen for work and for praising God in the tabernacle, and were called, “the sons of Korah.”
One of these men, named Heman, who lived in the time of David, was a leader of the singers. He was not only skilled in music to praise God, but also knew God’s words well, and was a seer, or adviser, of the king. It is good to read that Heman’s sons praised God with their, father; probably they were not then children but young men, their names are given but are hard to pronounce. His daughters also are mentioned, but their names, are not given, perhaps because daughters were not given a place to lead, but praised God with others.
But these people were not always in their city where they could honor God and hear His words. When this psalm and those following were written, David and others were in trouble and away from Jerusalem. They wept and prayed to God for help.
“As the hart (a deer) panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God.” ‘Ps. 42:1.
A thirsty deer pants for water, and these people wished much for the Lord and His words; their hope was in Him. There is a long wind here which tells of God’s goodness, and is found many times in the psalms: it is “lovingkindness” (verse 8), and is a precious word to all who believe God.
The New Testament does not tell us that certain ones are now to be chosen to praise God, but all, who know they are saved by the mercy of God, as, the children of Korah were, joy to sing in praise to Him. They do not need to long to be in a certain city, because the Lord Jesus came to satisfy all, anywhere, who believe in Him. He said:
Can you find several other psalms “for the sons of Korah?”
How many sons and daughters praised God with their father, Heman? (1 Chronicles 25:4-64Of Heman: the sons of Heman; Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth: 5All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. 6All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the Lord, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman. (1 Chronicles 25:4‑6)).
The sad story of Korah is in Numbers 16; see also Numbers 26:1111Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not. (Numbers 26:11) and 1 Chron. 6:33-3833And these are they that waited with their children. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman a singer, the son of Joel, the son of Shemuel, 34The son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah, 35The son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai, 36The son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah, 37The son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, 38The son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel. (1 Chronicles 6:33‑38).
It seems that Heman, the singer, was a grandson of Samuel, and perhaps, learned of God’s words from him. 1 Chron. 6:31-3431And these are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the Lord, after that the ark had rest. 32And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the Lord in Jerusalem: and then they waited on their office according to their order. 33And these are they that waited with their children. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman a singer, the son of Joel, the son of Shemuel, 34The son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah, (1 Chronicles 6:31‑34).
“Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel.” (N.T,).
ML 08/08/1940