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
the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks are seven churches.
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.
