Psalm 42-43

Contemporary English Version

BOOK II

(Psalms 42–72)

(A special psalm by the clan of Korah and for the music leader.)

Longing for God

¹As a deer gets thirsty
    for streams of water,
I truly am thirsty
    for you, my God.
²In my heart, I am thirsty
for you, the living God.
    When will I see your face?
³Day and night my tears
    are my only food,
as everyone keeps asking,
    “Where is your God?”

⁴Sorrow floods my heart,
    when I remember
leading the worshipers
    to your house.^[a]
I can still hear them shout
    their joyful praises.
⁵Why am I discouraged?
Why am I restless?
    I should trust you, Lord.
I will praise you again
because you help me,
⁶    and you are my God.

I am deeply discouraged,
    and so I think about you
here where the Jordan begins
at Mount Hermon
    and at Mount Mizar.^[b]
⁷Your vicious waves
    have swept over me
like an angry ocean
    or a roaring waterfall.

⁸Every day, you are kind,
and at night
you give me a song
as my prayer to you,
the God of my life.

⁹You are my mighty rock.^[c]
    Why have you forgotten me?
Why must enemies mistreat me
    and make me sad?
¹⁰Even my bones are in pain,
    while all day long
my enemies sneer and ask,
    “Where is your God?”

¹¹Why am I discouraged?
Why am I restless?
I trust you, Lord!
And I will praise you again
because you help me,
and you are my God.

A Prayer in Times of Trouble

¹Show that I am right, God!
Defend me against everyone
    who doesn't know you;
rescue me from each
    of those deceitful liars.
²I run to you for protection.
Why do you turn me away?
Why must enemies mistreat me
    and make me sad?

³Send your light and your truth
    to guide me.
Let them lead me to your house
    on your sacred mountain.
⁴Then I will worship
at your altar because you
    make me joyful.
You are my God,
    and I will praise you.
Yes, I will praise you
    as I play my harp.