1 For the Leader; Maschil of the sons of Korah.
2 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O G-d.
3 My soul thirsteth for G-d, for the living G-d: 'When shall I come and appear before G-d?'
4 My tears have been my food day and night, while they say unto me all the day: 'Where is Thy G-d?'
5 These things I remember, and pour out my soul within me, how I passed on with the throng, and led them to the house of G-d, with the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping holyday.
6 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why moanest thou within me? Hope thou in G-d; for I shall yet praise Him for the salvation of His countenance.
7 O my G-d, my soul is cast down within me; therefore do I remember Thee from the land of Jordan, and the Hermons, from the hill Mizar.
8 Deep calleth unto deep at the voice of Thy cataracts; all Thy waves and Thy billows are gone over me.
9 By day HaShem will command His lovingkindness, and in the night His song shall be with me, even a prayer unto the G-d of my life.
10 I will say unto G-d my Rock: 'Why hast Thou forgotten me? Why go I mourning under the oppression of the enemy?'
11 As with a crushing in my bones, mine adversaries taunt me; while they say unto me all the day: 'Where is Thy G-d?'
12 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why moanest thou within me? Hope thou in G-d; for I shall yet praise Him, the salvation of my countenance, and my G-d.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Psalm 42 express?
What does the refrain 'Why art thou cast down, O my soul?' mean?
What does verse 1 compare the soul's thirst to?
Today's Verse
He appointed it in Joseph for a testimony, When he went out over the land of Egypt, `Where' I heard a language that I knew not.
Verse Of The DayTwice the psalmist questions his own despair, asking "why art thou cast down, O my soul?" before choosing to hope in God despite waves and billows going over him. That same yearning reappears in Psalms 63:1-2; step back to Psalms 41 or forward to Psalms 43.
