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Quiz about Psalm 42
Quiz about Psalm 42

Psalm 42 Trivia Quiz


This quiz dissects one of my favourite psalms. I've referred to the New King James version throughout, but you should be able to complete this quiz using most common English translations.

A multiple-choice quiz by lorance79. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
lorance79
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
355,175
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
451
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 102 (4/10), Guest 86 (6/10), Guest 173 (9/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. In the opening verses of Psalm 42, the writer compares his soul to what animal? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. What does the psalmist say about his tears in verse 3 of Psalm 42? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. In the fourth verse of Psalm 42, the author remembers when he used to journey to what place? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. In Psalm 42:5, the author changes tone and asks "Why are you cast down?". Who is he addressing in this verse? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. In verse 6 of Psalm 42 the author says that he will remember God in three different places. Which of the following is NOT one of them? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Psalm 42:7 introduced what poetic phrase into the lexicon? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. In verse 8, the author expresses confidence. "The Lord will command his lovingkindness in the morning"--but what about nighttime? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. How does the psalmist describe God in Psalm 42:9? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. The author's enemies rebuke him by asking this question. What is it? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. What genre does Psalm 42 best fit into? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Sep 19 2024 : Guest 102: 4/10
Sep 11 2024 : Guest 86: 6/10
Sep 08 2024 : Guest 173: 9/10
Sep 06 2024 : Guest 184: 6/10
Sep 05 2024 : Guest 75: 5/10
Aug 25 2024 : Guest 24: 9/10
Aug 24 2024 : Guest 174: 5/10
Aug 21 2024 : Guest 107: 8/10
Aug 19 2024 : Guest 24: 8/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. In the opening verses of Psalm 42, the writer compares his soul to what animal?

Answer: A deer (longing for water)

Verses 1-2a:
"As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God."

The metaphor of spiritual desire as thirst was commonly employed by the authors of the Bible, who lived in a semi-arid land where water was precious. For other poetic descriptions of thirst in the psalms, see Psalm 63 and Psalm 143.
2. What does the psalmist say about his tears in verse 3 of Psalm 42?

Answer: They have been his food

Verses 2b-3:
"When shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my food day and night,
While continually they say to me, 'Where is your God?'"

The imagery in this emotive passage is also well-used throughout the psalms. For example, Psalm 80 says "You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in great measure". In a similar vein, Psalm 102 laments "I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping."
3. In the fourth verse of Psalm 42, the author remembers when he used to journey to what place?

Answer: The house of God

Verse 4:
"When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me.
For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God,
With a voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast."

The psalmist is living in exile and is unable to participate in the shared religious ceremonies of his community that made him feel close to God.
4. In Psalm 42:5, the author changes tone and asks "Why are you cast down?". Who is he addressing in this verse?

Answer: His soul

Verse 5:
"Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
for the help of His countenance."

These phrases are repeated again at the end of Psalm 42, and again in Psalm 43. The two psalms are likely to have originally been a single, longer work, with the chorus highlighting the central theme of trust in God in times of desolation.
5. In verse 6 of Psalm 42 the author says that he will remember God in three different places. Which of the following is NOT one of them?

Answer: The city of Nazareth

"O my God, my soul is downcast within me;
Therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan,
And from the heights of Hermon,
From the Hill Mizar."

The word "mizar" means "small". This small hill is contrasted to Mount Hermon, the highest peak in the region, on the border between modern-day Syria and Lebanon. The psalmist is in the northern lands, far from Jerusalem, but will not forget God even in exile.
6. Psalm 42:7 introduced what poetic phrase into the lexicon?

Answer: Deep calls unto deep

Verse 7:
"Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;
All Your waves and billows have gone over me."

The phrase echoes the opening strains of Psalm 130: "Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!" The concept of "the deep" is used continually throughout the Bible to represent great trouble. However, the metaphor has a double meaning, also used to describe the profound. For example, Job 11:7 asks "Can you search out the deep things of God?".
7. In verse 8, the author expresses confidence. "The Lord will command his lovingkindness in the morning"--but what about nighttime?

Answer: "At night His song shall be with me"

Verse 8:
"The Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime,
And at night his song shall be with me--
A prayer to the God of my life."

The incorrect options are all from the Old Testament as well, where lyrical references to night and day are commonly employed. Night is a time of solitude and prayer, and metaphorically often represents darkness, loneliness and troubled times.
8. How does the psalmist describe God in Psalm 42:9?

Answer: My rock

The description of God as a rock can be found throughout the Old Testament. For example, the authors of Deuteronomy and Samuel called God "the rock of salvation", a phrase that also appears in a number of psalms. In 1 Corinthians, Paul explicitly drew on this symbolism when he spoke of Israel's forefathers, who he said "drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ".
9. The author's enemies rebuke him by asking this question. What is it?

Answer: Where is your God?

In verses 9 and 10 the psalmist spells out his complaint to God:

"I will say to God my Rock,
'Why have You forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?'
As with a breaking of my bones,
My enemies reproach me,
While they say to me all day long,
'Where is your God?'"

This mirrors the psalm's first stanza, which also ends with the reflected question "Where is your God?"--a question that encapsulates the eternal dilemma of maintaining faith in the face of great trouble.
10. What genre does Psalm 42 best fit into?

Answer: Lamentation

The psalm of lamentation, both individual and communal, is one of the most common literary genres used throughout the biblical Book of Psalms. A lament typically begins with an address to God, includes a description of suffering and a request for help, and ends with an expression of trust in God. Psalm 42 illustrates all of these elements beautifully.
Source: Author lorance79

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor CellarDoor before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
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