BOOK 2

Psalm 42

For the Chief Musician. A contemplation by the sons of Korah.

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants after you, God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people ask my all day long, “Where is your God?” These things I remember as I pour out my soul within me, how I used to go with the crowd, and led them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping a holy day. Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I will still praise ʜɪᴍ for the saving help of ʜɪꜱ presence. 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. Deep calls to deep at the noise of your waterfalls. All your waves and your billows have swept over me.

 

YHWH will command ʜɪꜱ lovingkindness in the daytime. In the night ʜɪꜱ song will be with me: a prayer to the God of my life. I will ask God, my rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” As with a sword in my bones, my adversaries reproach me, while they continually ask me, “Where is your God?” Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I will still praise ʜɪᴍ, the saving help of my countenance, and my God.