Psalms 42:1-10

Book 2
(Psalms 42-72)

Psalm 42

For the music director; a well-written song by the Korahites.

42:1 As a deer longs for streams of water,

so I long for you, O God!

42:2 I thirst for God,

for the living God.

I say, “When will I be able to go and appear in God’s presence?”

42:3 I cannot eat, I weep day and night;

all day long they say to me, “Where is your God?”

42:4 I will remember and weep!

For I was once walking along with the great throng to the temple of God,

shouting and giving thanks along with the crowd as we celebrated the holy festival.

42:5 Why are you depressed, O my soul?

Why are you upset?

Wait for God!

For I will again give thanks

to my God for his saving intervention.

42:6 I am depressed,

so I will pray to you while I am trapped here in the region of the upper Jordan,

from Hermon, from Mount Mizar.

42:7 One deep stream calls out to another at the sound of your waterfalls;

all your billows and waves overwhelm me.

42:8 By day the Lord decrees his loyal love,

and by night he gives me a song,

a prayer to the living God.

42:9 I will pray to God, my high ridge:

“Why do you ignore me?

Why must I walk around mourning

because my enemies oppress me?”

42:10 My enemies’ taunts cut into me to the bone,

as they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”