Psalm 42

To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.

1As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.footnote afootnote b

2My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

3My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?

4When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

5Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.footnote cfootnote dfootnote e

6O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.footnote f

7Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

8Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

9I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

10As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?footnote g

11Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

As the Deer Pants for the Water

For the choirmaster. A Maskil of the sons of Korah.

1As the deer pants for streams of water,so my soul longs after You, O God. 2My soul thirsts for God, the living God.When shall I come and appear in God’s presence?footnote a 3My tears have been my foodboth day and night,while men ask me all day long,“Where is your God?” 4These things come to mind as I pour out my soul:how I walked with the multitude,leading the festive procession to the house of Godwith shouts of joy and praise.

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

6O my God, my soul despairs within me.Therefore I remember Youfrom the land of Jordan and the peaks of Hermon—even from Mount Mizar. 7Deep calls to deepin the roar of Your waterfalls;all Your breakers and waveshave rolled over me. 8The LORD decrees His loving devotion by day,and at night His song is with meas a prayer to the God of my life.

9I say to God my Rock,“Why have You forgotten me?Why must I walk in sorrowbecause of the enemy’s oppression?” 10Like the crushing of my bones,my enemies taunt me,while they say to me all day long,“Where is your God?”

11Why 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.