Psalm 42

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

1Like a deer that yearns for running brooks, so my soul yearns for you, God.

2My soul is thirsty for God, for the living God. When may I come and appear in God’s presence?

3My tears have become my bread by day and by night, as people ask me all the day, “Where is your God?”

4I call these things to mind as I pour out my soul inside me: how I would walk with the crowd, leading their procession to the house of God with the sound of joyful singing and thanks, a festive multitude.

5Why are you bowed down, my soul, and why do you groan within me? Wait in hope for God, for I will praise him again for the saving help of his presence.

6My God, my soul is bowed down within me; that is why I call you to mind from the land of the Jordan and the Hermon peaks, from Mount Mizar.

7Deep calls to deep at the thunder of your torrents; all your breakers and billows have rolled over me.

8Yahweh commands his steadfast love in the daytime, and in the night his song stays with me, a prayer to the God of my life.

9I will say to God, my rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I walk around in dark grief under the enemy’s oppression?”

10With a killing blow in my bones my foes mock me, as they ask me all the day, “Where is your God?”

11Why are you bowed down, my soul, and why do you groan within me? Wait in hope for God, for I will praise him again, the one who saves me, my God.