1    As the deer longs for the water brooks,  

so longs my soul for you, O God.

2    My soul is athirst for God, even for the living God;  

when shall I come before the presence of God?

3    My tears have been my bread day and night,  

while all day long they say to me, ‘Where is now your God?’

4    Now when I think on these things, I pour out my soul:  

how I went with the multitude

and led the procession to the house of God,

5    With the voice of praise and thanksgiving,  

among those who kept holy day.

6    Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul,  

and why are you so disquieted within me?

7    O put your trust in God;  

for I will yet give him thanks,

who is the help of my countenance, and my God.

8    My soul is heavy within me;  

therefore I will remember you from the land of Jordan,

and from Hermon and the hill of Mizar.

9    Deep calls to deep in the thunder of your waterfalls;  

all your breakers and waves have gone over me.

10  The Lord will grant his loving-kindness in the daytime;  

through the night his song will be with me,

a prayer to the God of my life.

11  I say to God my rock,

‘Why have you forgotten me,  

and why go I so heavily, while the enemy oppresses me?’

12  As they crush my bones, my enemies mock me;  

while all day long they say to me, ‘Where is now your God?’

13  Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul,  

and why are you so disquieted within me?

14  O put your trust in God;  

for I will yet give him thanks,

who is the help of my countenance, and my God.

Come, creator Spirit, source of life;

sustain us when our hearts are heavy

and our wells have run dry,

for you are the Father’s gift,

with him who is our living water,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Common Worship: Daily Prayer, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2005 and published by Church House Publishing.

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Source URL: https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/common-worship/daily-prayer/psalter/psalm-42