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 46

Common English Bible

Psalm 46

For the music leader. Of the Korahites. According to Alamoth.^[a] A song.

46 God is our refuge and strength,
    a help always near in times of great trouble.
²That’s why we won’t be afraid when the world falls apart,
    when the mountains crumble into the center of the sea,
³    when its waters roar and rage,
    when the mountains shake because of its surging waves. Selah

⁴There is a river whose streams gladden God’s city,
    the holiest dwelling of the Most High.
⁵God is in that city. It will never crumble.
    God will help it when morning dawns.
⁶Nations roar; kingdoms crumble.
    God utters his voice; the earth melts.
⁷The Lord of heavenly forces is with us!
    The God of Jacob is our place of safety. Selah

⁸Come, see the Lord’s deeds,
    what devastation he has imposed on the earth—
⁹    bringing wars to an end in every corner of the world,
    breaking the bow and shattering the spear,
        burning chariots with fire.