Psalms 42 · As the Deer Pants for the Water

1For the leader. A maskil of the Korahites.

2Like a hind crying for water, my soul cries for You, O God;

3my soul thirsts for God, the living God;O when will I come to appear before God!

4My tears have been my food day and night;I am ever taunted with, “Where is your God?”

5When I think of this, I pour out my soul:how I walked with the crowd, moved with them, the festive throng, to the House of Godwith joyous shouts of praise.

6Why so downcast, my soul,why disquieted within me?Have hope in God;I will yet give praisefor God’s saving presence., “my ever-present help, my God,” as in v. 12 and 43.5.

7O my God, my soul is downcast;therefore I think of Youin this land of Jordan and Hermon,in Mount Mizar,

8where deep calls to deepin the roar of Your cataracts; all Your breakers and billows have swept over me.

9By day may GOD devote faithful care,so that at night a song may be with me:a prayer to the God of my life.

10I say to God, my rock,“Why have You forgotten me,why must I walk in gloom,oppressed by my enemy?”

11Crushing my bones, my foes revile me,taunting me always with, “Where is your God?”

12Why so downcast, my soul,why disquieted within me?Have hope in God;I will yet give praise,my ever-present help, my God.