For the Chief Musician.
A contemplation by the sons of Korah.
1 As the deer pants for the water brooks,
so my soul pants after you, God.†
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before
God?
3 My tears have been my food day and
night,
while they continually ask me,
“Where is your God?”
4 These things I remember, and pour out
my soul within me,
how I used to go with the crowd, and
led them to God’s house,
with the voice of joy and praise, a multitude
keeping a holy day.
5 Why are you in despair, my soul?
Why are you disturbed within me?
Hope in God!
For I shall still praise him for the saving
help of his presence.
6 My God, my soul is in despair within me.
Therefore I remember you from the
land of the Jordan,
the heights of Hermon, from the hill
Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep at the noise of your
waterfalls.
All your waves and your billows have
swept over me.
8 The LORD‡ will command his loving kindness
in the daytime.
In the night his song shall be with me:
a prayer to the God of my life.
9 I will ask God, my rock, “Why have you
forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning because of the
oppression of the enemy?”
10 As with a sword in my bones, my adversaries
reproach me,
while they continually ask me,
“Where is your God?”
11 Why are you in despair, my soul?
Why are you disturbed within me?
Hope in God! For I shall still praise him,
the saving help of my countenance,
and my God.
† 42:1: The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “ אֱלֹהִ֑ים†” (Elohim).
‡ 42:8: When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, “LORD” or “GOD” is the translation of God’s Proper Name (Hebrew יהוה“ ”, usually pronounced Yahweh).
