Thirsting for God

Psalm 42–43

Works of art by Katsushika Hokusai, Diane Palley, and Unknown artist
Commentaries by Ellen F. Davis

Psalm 42–43

Bible passage (Revised Standard Version)

To the choirmaster. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah.

42As a hart longs

for flowing streams,

so longs my soul

for thee, O God.

2My soul thirsts for God,

for the living God.

When shall I come and behold

the face of God?

3My tears have been my food

day and night,

while men say to me continually,

“Where is your God?”

4These things I remember,

as I pour out my soul:

how I went with the throng,

and led them in procession to the house of God,

with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving,

a multitude keeping festival.

5Why are you cast down, O my soul,

and why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

my help 6and my God.

My soul is cast down within me,

therefore I remember thee

from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,

from Mount Mizar.

7Deep calls to deep

at the thunder of thy cataracts;

all thy waves and thy billows

have gone over me.

8By day the Lord commands his steadfast love;

and at night his song is with me,

a prayer to the God of my life.

9I say to God, my rock:

“Why hast thou forgotten me?

Why go I mourning

because of the oppression of the enemy?”

10As with a deadly wound in my body,

my adversaries taunt me,

while they say to me continually,

“Where is your God?”

11Why are you cast down, O my soul,

and why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

my help and my God.

43Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause

against an ungodly people;

from deceitful and unjust men

deliver me!

2For thou art the God in whom I take refuge;

why hast thou cast me off?

Why go I mourning

because of the oppression of the enemy?

3Oh send out thy light and thy truth;

let them lead me,

let them bring me to thy holy hill

and to thy dwelling!

4Then I will go to the altar of God,

to God my exceeding joy;

and I will praise thee with the lyre,

O God, my God.

5Why are you cast down, O my soul,

and why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

my help and my God.