Psalm 42

BOOK TWO (Psalms 42–72)Psalm 42

For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah.

1 As the deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God.2 I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I go and stand before him?3 Day and night I have only tears for food,
while my enemies continually taunt me, saying,
“Where is this God of yours?”4 My heart is breaking
as I remember how it used to be:
I walked among the crowds of worshipers,
leading a great procession to the house of God,
singing for joy and giving thanks
amid the sound of a great celebration!5 Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and6 my God!
Now I am deeply discouraged,
but I will remember you—
even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan,
from the land of Mount Mizar.7 I hear the tumult of the raging seas
as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.8 But each day the LORD pours his unfailing love upon me,
and through each night I sing his songs,
praying to God who gives me life.9 “O God my rock,” I cry,
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I wander around in grief,
oppressed by my enemies?”10 Their taunts break my bones.
They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?”11 Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!

PSALMS 42

BOOK II

(Psalms 42–72)

Longing for God

1 As a deer gets thirsty
for streams of water,
I truly am thirsty
for you, my God.

2 In my heart, I am thirsty
for you, the living God.
When will I see your face?

3 Day and night my tears
are my only food,
as everyone keeps asking,
“Where is your God?”

4 Sorrow floods my heart,
when I remember
leading the worshipers
to your house.t
I can still hear them shout
their joyful praises.

5 Why am I discouraged?
Why am I restless?
I should trust you, [Lord].
I will praise you again
because you help me,

6 and you are my God.
I am deeply discouraged,
and so I think about you
here where the Jordan begins
at Mount Hermon
and at Mount Mizar.t

7 Your vicious waves
have swept over me
like an angry ocean
or a roaring waterfall.

8 Every day, you are kind,
and at night
you give me a song
as my prayer to you,
the God of my life.

9 You are my mighty rock.t
Why have you forgotten me?
Why must enemies mistreat me
and make me sad?

10 Even my bones are in pain,
while all day long
my enemies sneer and ask,
“Where is your God?”

11 Why am I discouraged?
Why am I restless?
I trust you, [Lord]!
And I will praise you again
because you help me,
and you are my God.