1 (For the one directing, Maskil, for the Bnei Korach)

2 As the deer panteth after the water brooks,

so panteth my nefesh after Thee, O Elohim.

3 My nefesh thirsteth for Elohim,

for El Chai.

When shall I come and appear before Elohim?*42:3 in the Beis Hamikdash

4 My tears have been my lechem yomam valailah,

while they continually say unto me,

Where is Eloheicha?

5 When I remember these things,

I pour out my nefesh within me;

for I had gone with the multitude,

I went with them to the Beis Elohim

with the voice of rinnah and todah,

with the multitude keeping Chag (holy day, pilgrim feast).

6 Why art thou cast down, O my nefesh?

And why groanest thou*42:6 i.e., murmuring in discouragement within me?

Hope thou in*42:6 i.e., wait for Elohim; for I shall yet give Him thanks,

for He is the yeshu’ah (salvation) of my countenance and Elohai.

7 My nefesh is cast down within me;

therefore will I remember Thee

from Eretz Yarden, and from Chermonʼs peaks,

from Har Mitzar.*42:7 mountain near Mt Chermon

8 Tehom el Tehom ([oceanic] deep unto [oceanic] deep) calleth

at the noise of Thy waterfalls;

all Thy breakers and Thy billows

are passed over me.

9 Yet Hashem will command His chesed by day,

and in the night His shir (song) shall be with me,

my tefillah (prayer) unto the El Chayyai (G-d of my life).

10 I will say unto El Sali (G-d my Rock),

Why hast Thou forgotten me?

Why go I mourning

because of the oppression of the oyev (enemy)?*42:10 Mt 27:46

11 As with the crushing of my atzamot (bones),

mine tzorer (vexers, harassers) reproach me;

while they say all day long unto me,

Where is Eloheicha?

12 Why art thou cast down, O my nefesh?

And why art thou disquieted within me?

Hope thou in (wait for) Elohim;

for I shall yet give Him thanks,

for He is the yeshu’ah (salvation) of my countenance and Elohai.