Psalm 42 (41)
When shall I go to contemplate the face of the Lord? In exile, the psalmist remembers the years of grace.
2 As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
3 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I go and see the face of God?
4 Day and night my tears have been my food,
as people ask me day after day,
“Where is your God?”
5 Now as I pour out my soul,
I remember all this –
how I used to lead the faithful
in procession to the house of God,
amid shouts of joy and thanksgiving,
among the feasting throng.
6 Why are you so downcast, my soul,
why so troubled within me?
Hope in God, for I will praise him again,
my savior and my God.
7 My soul is downcast when I remember
from these lands of Jordan and Hermon,
“Where are you, small mountain?”
8 Deep calls to deep as your cataracts thunder;
your waves and torrents have gone over me.
9 May the Lord bestow his love by day,
by night his song is upon my lips –
a prayer to the God of my life.
10 I say to God, my rock,
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?”
11 My whole being suffers in mortal agony,
as my adversaries continually taunt me,
“Where is your God?”
12 Why are you so downcast, my soul,
why so troubled within me?
Hope in God, for again I will praise him –
my savior and my God.