Psalms 42 ASV
Summary: Opening Book II of the Psalter, attributed to the sons of Korah, Psalm 42 gives voice to exile and spiritual thirst through one of Scripture's most famous images: "as a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God" (v. 1). The psalmist recalls leading festival processions "with shouts of joy and praise" now barred to him, weeping day and night far from the temple, perhaps in the region of Mount Hermon. Its refrain, repeated here and in Psalm 43, interrogates the psalmist's own despair: "Why are you cast down, O my soul?... hope in God" (v. 5, 11).
1For the Chief Musician. Maschil of the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, So panteth my soul after thee, O God.
2My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: When shall I come and appear before God?
3My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
4These things I remember, and pour out my soul within me, How I went with the throng, and led them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping holyday.
5Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise him For the help of his countenance.
6O my God, my soul is cast down within me: Therefore do I remember thee from the land of the Jordan, And the Hermons, from the hill Mizar.
7Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterfalls: All thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
8Yet Jehovah will command his lovingkindness in the day-time; And in the night his song shall be with me, Even a prayer unto the God of my life.
9I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
10As with a sword in my bones, mine adversaries reproach me, While they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
11Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise him, Who is the help of my countenance, and my God.
Also read this chapter in: KJV, WEB, WYC, GNV, WBT, DBY, YLT