Psalms 42
The psalmist expresses a deep longing for God, comparing their soul's thirst to a deer's need for water. They recall joyful times of worshiping God with others, but now feel downcast and taunted by enemies who question God's presence. Despite their emotional turmoil, the psalmist resolves to put their hope in God and praise Him as their Savior. They cry out to God, asking why He seems to have forgotten them and why they must suffer.
1As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.2My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?3My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?"4These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.5Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and6my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon-from Mount Mizar.7Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.8By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me- a prayer to the God of my life.9I say to God my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?"10My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, "Where is your God?"11Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
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