Psalm 42

Common English Bible

BOOK II

(Psalms 42–72)

Psalm 42^[a]

For the music leader. A maskil^[b] of the Korahites.

42 Just like a deer that craves streams of water,
    my whole being^[c] craves you, God.
²My whole being thirsts for God, for the living God.
    When will I come and see God’s face?^[d]
³My tears have been my food both day and night,
    as people constantly questioned me,
    “Where’s your God now?”

⁴But I remember these things as I bare my soul:
    how I made my way to the mighty one’s abode,^[e]
    to God’s own house,
        with joyous shouts and thanksgiving songs—
        a huge crowd celebrating the festival!
⁵Why, I ask myself, are you so depressed?
    Why are you so upset inside?
Hope in God!
    Because I will again give him thanks,
        my saving presence and my God.

⁶My whole being is depressed.
    That’s why I remember you
    from the land of Jordan and Hermon,
        from Mount Mizar.
⁷Deep called to deep at the noise of your waterfalls;
    all your massive waves surged over me.
⁸By day the Lord commands his faithful love;
    by night his song is with me—
    a prayer to the God of my life.

⁹I will say to God, my solid rock,
    “Why have you forgotten me?
        Why do I have to walk around,
        sad, oppressed by enemies?”
¹⁰With my bones crushed, my foes make fun of me,
    constantly questioning me: “Where’s your God now?”

¹¹Why, I ask myself, are you so depressed?
    Why are you so upset inside?
        Hope in God!
        Because I will again give him thanks,
        my saving presence and my God.

Footnotes

Psalm 42:1 Pss 42–43 form one single poem; cf the note at Pss 9–10.
Psalm 42:1 Perhaps instruction
Psalm 42:1 Or soul; also in 42:2, 4, 5, 6, 11; 43:5
Psalm 42:2 Syr, Tg; MT and appear before God?
Psalm 42:4 Heb uncertain

Psalm 43

Common English Bible

Psalm 43

43 Establish justice for me, God!
    Argue my case against ungodly people!
    Rescue me from the dishonest and unjust!
²Because you are my God, my protective fortress!
    Why have you rejected me?
    Why do I have to walk around,
        sad, oppressed by enemies?
³Send your light and truth—those will guide me!
    Let them bring me to your holy mountain,
        to your dwelling place.
⁴Let me come to God’s altar—
let me come to God, my joy, my delight—
    then I will give you thanks with the lyre,
    God, my God!

⁵Why, I ask myself, are you so depressed?
    Why are you so upset inside?
    Hope in God!
        Because I will again give him thanks,
        my saving presence and my God.