Psalm XLII 

Illuminated on parchment by the Limbourg brothers, this miniature depicts Psalm XLII, rich with symbols of spiritual longing. Note the kneeling king, crowned, draped in royal robes, and caught between two towers. Above, a vision of God looks down on him. Here, the towers represent a motif of worldly and spiritual aspiration. The tower as a symbol of ambition and protection appears throughout history, from the Tower of Babel to medieval fortresses, and, again, in the 20th century with Tatlin's Tower. The king's posture, reminiscent of supplicants in ancient Near Eastern art, conveys a universal desire for divine connection, and the image taps into our collective memory. This yearning for the divine engages viewers on a subconscious level, embodying the powerful force of human emotion. Symbols are never static; they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different eras, continually shaped by human experience.