1 For the Chief Musician. A contemplation by the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God. Notesn1 The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim).
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God ?
3 My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually ask me, “Where is your God ?”
4 These things I remember, and pour out my soul within me, how I used to go with the crowd, and led them to God’s house, with the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping a holy day.
5 Why are you in despair, my soul ? Why are you disturbed within me ? Hope in God ! For I shall still praise him for the saving help of his presence.
6 My God, my soul is in despair within me. Therefore I remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon, from the hill Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep at the noise of your waterfalls. All your waves and your billows have swept over me.
8 Yahweh will command his loving kindness in the daytime. In the night his song shall be with me : a prayer to the God of my life. Notesn1 “Yahweh” is God’s proper Name, sometimes rendered “LORD” (all caps) in other translations.
9 I will ask God, my rock, “Why have you forgotten me ? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy ?”
10 As with a sword in my bones, my adversaries reproach me, while they continually ask me, “Where is your God ?”
11 Why are you in despair, my soul ? Why are you disturbed within me ? Hope in God ! For I shall still praise him, the saving help of my countenance, and my God.