Psalm 42

Book two (Psalms 42–72)

Psalm 42

1. For the choir director: A psalm[a] of the descendants of Korah. 1 1 As the deer longs for streams of water, 1 so I long for you, O God.

2. I thirst for God, the living God. 2 When can I go and stand before him?

3. Day and night I have only tears for food, 3 while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, 3 “Where is this God of yours?”

4. My heart is breaking 4 as I remember how it used to be: 4 I walked among the crowds of worshipers, 4 leading a great procession to the house of God, 4 singing for joy and giving thanks 4 amid the sound of a great celebration!

5. Why am I discouraged? 5 Why is my heart so sad? 5 I will put my hope in God! 5 I will praise him again— 5 my Savior and

6. 6 my God! 6 Now I am deeply discouraged, 6 but I will remember you— 6 even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, 6 from the land of Mount Mizar.

7. I hear the tumult of the raging seas 7 as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.

8. But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, 8 and through each night I sing his songs, 8 praying to God who gives me life.

9. “O God my rock,” I cry, 9 “Why have you forgotten me? 9 Why must I wander around in grief, 9 oppressed by my enemies?”

10. Their taunts break my bones. 10 They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?”

11. Why am I discouraged? 11 Why is my heart so sad? 11 I will put my hope in God! 11 I will praise him again— 11 my Savior and my God!

Footnotes:
a. 42:Title: Hebrew maskil. This may be a literary or musical term.