Psalms 42
The psalmist expresses a deep longing for God, comparing it to a deer's thirst for water. Despite being mocked and persecuted by enemies who ask where his God is, the psalmist holds onto hope in God, recalling past experiences of God's presence and salvation. The psalmist's soul is troubled, but he encourages himself to trust in God, who is his supporter and salvation.
1Unto the end. The understanding of the sons of Korah. As the deer longs for fountains of water, so my soul longs for you, O God2My soul has thirsted for the strong living God. When will I draw close and appear before the face of God3My tears have been my bread, day and night. Meanwhile, it is said to me daily: "Where is your God?4These things I have remembered; and my soul within me, I have poured out. For I will cross into the place of the wonderful tabernacle, all the way to the house of God, with a voice of exultation and confession, the sound of feasting5Why are you sad, my soul? And why do you disquiet me? Hope in God, for I will still confess to him: the salvation of my countenance6and my God. My soul has been troubled within myself. Because of this, I will remember you from the land of the Jordan and from Hermon, from the little mountain7Abyss calls upon abyss, with the voice of your floodgate. All your heights and your waves have passed over me8In the daylight, the Lord has ordered his mercy; and in the night, a canticle to him. With me is a prayer to the God of my life9I will say to God, "You are my supporter. Why have you forgotten me? And why do I walk in mourning, while my adversary afflicts me?10While my bones are being broken, my enemies, who trouble me, have reproached me. Meanwhile, they say to me every single day, "Where is your God?11My soul, why are you saddened? And why do you disquiet me? Hope in God, for I will still confess to him: the salvation of my countenance and my God
Share this chapter