As the Deer Pants for Water
For the Chief Musician. A contemplation by the sons of Korah.
1 As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.
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 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me,
how I used to go with the crowds, to the house of God,
with the voice of joy and praise, with a crowd that kept holy days.
5 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God!
For I shall yet 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 sound of your waterfalls.
All your waves and your billows have swept over me.
8 The Lord will command his loving kindness in the daytime.
In the night his song shall be with me:
a prayer to the the Lord of my life.
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 praise him still,
who is my savior and my God.