Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 42:10

"As with a sword in my bones, mine adversaries reproach me, While they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?" — Psalms 42:10 (ASV)

As with a sword. —Marginal note: killing; preferred: crushing. The insertion of the conjunction is erroneous. Translate as: with a shattering of my bones.

This, no doubt, refers to actual ill-treatment of the exile by his escorts, who heaped blows, as well as insults, on their captives. We may even suppose this violence especially directed at this particular sufferer, who could not refrain from lingering and looking back, and so irritating his guards, who would naturally be in a hurry to push forward. How vividly, too, does the picture of the insulting taunt, “Where is your God?” rise before us, if we think of the soldiers overhearing the exile’s short, fervent prayers.