Berean Standard Bible

Psalms 42

Psalms 42–72

As the Deer Pants for the Water

For the choirmaster. A Maskil of the sons of Korah.In many Hebrew manuscripts Psalms 42 and 43 constitute one psalm. Maskil is probably a musical or liturgical term; used for Psalms 32, 42, 44–45, 52–55, 74, 78, 88–89, and 142.

1As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God.2My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God’s presence?13My tears have been my food both day and night, while men ask me all day long, “Where is your God?”4These things come to mind as I pour out my soul: how I walked with the multitude, leading the festive procession to the house of God with shouts of joy and praise.

5Why are you downcast, O my soul?Why the unease within me?Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Himfor the salvation of His presence.

6O my God, my soul despairs within me.Therefore I remember Youfrom the land of Jordan and the peaks of Hermon—even from Mount Mizar.7Deep calls to deepin the roar of Your waterfalls;all Your breakers and waveshave rolled over me.8The LORD decrees His loving devotion by day,and at night His song is with meas a prayer to the God of my life.

9I say to God my Rock,“Why have You forgotten me?Why must I walk in sorrowbecause of the enemy’s oppression?”10Like the crushing of my bones,my enemies taunt me,while they say to me all day long,“Where is your God?”

11Why are you downcast, O my soul?Why the unease within me?Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him,my Savior and my God.

Notes

1. Psalms 42:2 Or and see the face of God? ↩

Psalms 42–72

As the Deer Pants for the Water

For the choirmaster. A Maskil of the sons of Korah.In many Hebrew manuscripts Psalms 42 and 43 constitute one psalm. Maskil is probably a musical or liturgical term; used for Psalms 32, 42, 44–45, 52–55, 74, 78, 88–89, and 142.

Notes

Commentaries on Psalms 42