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 ¨C
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 ¨C
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 ¨C
my savior and my God.
¡¡