Psalms 42

(Psalms 42–72)

Longing for God

For the choir director. A Maskil of the sons of Korah.

1 As a deer longs for flowing streams,

so I long for you, God.  * 42:1 Ps 84:2; 119:131

2 I thirst for God, the living God.

When can I come and appear before God?  * 42:2 Ps 63:1

3 My tears have been my food day and night,

while all day long people say to me,

"Where is your God? "  * 42:3 1Sm 4:21; Ps 79:10; 115:2

4 I remember this as I pour out my heart:  * 42:4 Ps 62:8

how I walked with many,

leading the festive procession to the house of God,

with joyful and thankful shouts.  * 42:4 Ps 55:14; 100:4

5 Why, my soul, are you so dejected?

Why are you in such turmoil?

Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him,

my Savior and my God.  * 42:5 Ps 38:6; 43:5; Mt 26:38

6 I  * 42:5–6 Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr; other Hb mss read him, the salvation of his presence. 6My God, I am deeply depressed;

therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan

and the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.  * 42:6 Ps 61:2; Jnh 2:7

7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls;

all your breakers and your billows have swept over me.  * 42:7 Ps 69:1–2; Jnh 2:3

8 The Lord will send his faithful love by day;  * 42:8 Jb 35:10; Ps 77:6

his song will be with me in the night —

a prayer to the God of my life.

9 I will say to God, my rock,  * 42:9 Ps 18:2; 31:3

"Why have you forgotten me?

Why must I go about in sorrow

because of the enemy’s oppression? "  * 42:9 Ps 43:2

10 My adversaries taunt me,

as if crushing my bones,

while all day long they say to me,

"Where is your God? "  * 42:10 Jl 2:17

11 Why, my soul, are you so dejected?

Why are you in such turmoil?

Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him,

my Savior and my God.  * 42:11 Ps 43:5; Mt 26:38