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Psalm 42:4

ESV These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival.
NIV These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.
NASB I remember these things and pour out my soul within me. For I used to go over with the multitude and walk them to the house of God, With a voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude celebrating a festival.
CSB I remember this as I pour out my heart: how I walked with many, leading the festive procession to the house of God, with joyful and thankful shouts.
NLT My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration!
KJV When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
NKJV 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 the voice of joy and praise, With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.

What does Psalm 42:4 mean?

As the psalmist prayed fervently to the Lord, he recalled leading a procession of worshipers to the sanctuary in Jerusalem. This strongly suggests the writer was a worship leader. This corresponds to the "Sons of Korah" mentioned at the beginning of the psalm (Psalm 42:1). They seem to have been a group connected to worship and music, as well as upkeep in the temple (1 Chronicles 9:19–20; 2 Chronicles 20:19). As the multitude moved along, they shouted with joy and sang praises.

Perhaps the festival alluded to in this verse was the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:39–43). Although believers of the church age are not under the Law and are not required to observe the Jewish feast days, they should worship the Lord joyfully and praise Him. Colossians 3:16 admonishes believers: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymn and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Just as the psalmist enjoyed going to the sanctuary to worship the Lord, Christians should look forward to attending church, where they fellowship with other believers and worship the Lord.
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