A Maskil of the sons of Korah. Psalms 42 and 43 are a single psalm with 3 movements ending in a common refrain (42:5, 42:11, 43:5).
Why are you cast down, O my soul?
v.42:1-5 The psalmist “thirsts” for God as he remembers days past.
1 As a deer pants for flowing streams,
so pants my soul for you, O God.
v.42:6-11 The psalmist (who is depressed) laments his separation from God (or the temple in Jerusalem) as he is tormented by oppressors but hopes in God for restoration.
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 and my God.
This beautiful psalm gives us a picture of the godly remnant in the great tribulation period.