Psalms 42

1 For the choirmaster. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God.

For the music director. A psalm (maskil) of the sons of Korah. As a deer longs for flowing streams, so I long for you, God.

2 My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God’s presence?

I am thirsty for God, the living God. When can I go and see God's face?

3 My tears have been my food both day and night, while men ask me all day long, “Where is your God?”

My tears have been my only food, day and night, while people ask me all day long, “Where is your God?”

4 These things come to mind as I pour out my soul: how I walked with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God with shouts of joy and praise.

I am crushed as I remember how I walked with the crowds, leading them in a procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and songs of thanks among the worshipers at the festival.

5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence.

Why am I so discouraged? Why do I feel so sad? I will hope in God; I will praise him because he is the one who saves me—

6 O my God, my soul despairs within me. Therefore I remember You from the land of Jordan and the peaks of Hermon— even from Mount Mizar.

my God! Even though I am very discouraged, I still remember you: from the land of Jordan and Hermon, and from Mount Mizar.

7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your breakers and waves have rolled over me.

You thunder through the raging waters, through the noise of the waterfalls. Your crashing waves surge over me—I feel like I'm drowning.

8 The LORD decrees His loving devotion by day, and at night His song is with me as a prayer to the God of my life.

But every day the Lord shows me his trustworthy love; every night he gives me songs to sing—a prayer to the God of my life.

9 I say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why must I walk in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression?”

I cry out, “My God, my rock, why have you forgotten me? Why must I go around weeping because of the attacks of my enemies?”

10 Like the crushing of my bones, my enemies taunt me, while they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”

The mocking of my attackers crushes my bones. They're always asking me, “Where is your God?”

11 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.

Why am I so discouraged? Why do I feel so sad? I will hope in God; I will praise him because he is the one who saves me—my God!