Psalms 42

1 [For the Chief Musician. A contemplation by the sons of Korah.] As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, 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, 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 my food day and night, while they continually ask 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 These things I remember, and pour out my soul within me, how I used to go in the tent of the Majestic One, to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping a holy day.

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 in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God. For I will again give him thanks, my saving presence 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—

6 My soul is in despair within me. Therefore I remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon, from the hill 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 at the noise of your waterfalls. All your breakers and waves have swept 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 YHWH will command his loving kindness in the daytime. In the night his song shall be with me: 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 will ask God, my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?"

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 As with a sword in my bones, my adversaries taunt me, while they continually ask me, "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 in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God. For I will again give him thanks, my saving presence 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!