¹As a deer longs for flowing streams, so I long for you, God.

²I am thirsty for God, the living God. When can I go and see God's face?[#42:2. This phrase is thought to mean a spiritual experience, perhaps in the Temple.]

³My tears have been my only food, day and night, while people ask me all day long, “Where is your God?”

⁴I am crushed as I remember how I walked with the crowds, leading them in a procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and songs of thanks among the worshipers at the festival.[#42:4. Literally, “I pour out within me my soul.”]

⁵Why am I so discouraged? Why do I feel so sad? I will hope in God; I will praise him because he is the one who saves me—[#42:5. Literally, “the acts of salvation of his face, my God.”]

⁶my God! Even though I am very discouraged, I still remember you: from the land of Jordan and Hermon, and from Mount Mizar.

⁷You thunder through the raging waters, through the noise of the waterfalls. Your crashing waves surge over me—I feel like I'm drowning.[#42:7. Implied.]

⁸But every day the Lord shows me his trustworthy love; every night he gives me songs to sing—a prayer to the God of my life.

⁹I cry out, “My God, my rock, why have you forgotten me? Why must I go around weeping because of the attacks of my enemies?”

¹⁰The mocking of my attackers crushes my bones. They're always asking me, “Where is your God?”

¹¹Why am I so discouraged? Why do I feel so sad? I will hope in God; I will praise him because he is the one who saves me—my God!