Psalms
Summary
Psalm 42 (the first of the Korahite psalms) is a poignant expression of the soul's deep thirst for God in a time of spiritual dryness and exile. David famously compares his longing to a "deer longing for the water brooks," asking, "When can I go and meet with God?" He recalls the joy of leading processions to the house of God but now finds himself overwhelmed by "waves and billows" of sorrow. Twice he challenges his own soul: "Why are you cast down, O my soul?" He anchors his hope in the truth that God will yet "command his unfailing love" in the daytime.
As the deer longs for the water brooks, so my soul longs for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, "Where is your God?"
These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the throng, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and praise among the festive multitude.
Why are you cast down, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God.
My soul is cast down within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.
Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and billows have swept over me.
By day the LORD directs his unfailing love; at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.
I say to God my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?"
My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, "Where is your God?"
Why are you cast down, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God.