BOOK II

(Psalms 42–72)

Psalm 42

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. h

2   I thirst for God, the living God.

When can I come and appear before God? i

3   My tears have been my food day and night,

while all day long people say to me,

“Where is your God? ” j

4   I remember this as I pour out my heart: k

how I walked with many,

leading the festive procession to the house of God,

with joyful and thankful shouts. l

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. m

6   I A am deeply depressed;

therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan

and the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. n

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

all your breakers and your billows have swept over me. o

8   The LORD will send his faithful love by day; p

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, q

“Why have you forgotten me?

Why must I go about in sorrow

because of the enemy’s oppression? ” r

10   My adversaries taunt me,

as if crushing my bones,

while all day long they say to me,

“Where is your God? ” s

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. t