Psalms 42

1 For the end, [a Psalm] for instruction, for the sons of Core. As the hart earnestly desires the fountains of water, so my soul earnestly longs for 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 has thirsted for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

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

3 My tears have been bread to me day and night, while they daily said to me, 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 I remembered these things, and poured out my soul in me, for I will go to the place of your wondrous tabernacle, [even] to the house of God, with a voice of exultation and thanksgiving and of the sound of those who keep festival.

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 Therefore are you very sad, O my soul? and therefore do you trouble me? hope in God; for I will give thanks to him; [he is] the salvation of my countenance.

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 has been troubled within me: therefore will I remember you from the land of Jordan, and of the Ermonites, from the little hill.

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 at the voice of your cataracts: all your billows and your waves have gone 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 By day the Lord will command his mercy, and manifest [it] by night: with me [is] 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 will say to God, You are my helper; why have you forgotten me? therefore do I go sad of countenance, while the enemy oppresses [me]?

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 While my bones were breaking, they that afflicted me reproached me; while they said to me daily, Where is your God?

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

11 Therefore are you very sad, O my soul? and therefore do you trouble me? hope in God; for I will give thanks to him; [he is] the health of my countenance, 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!