Psalm 42

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.

 

Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000 and published by Church House Publishing.

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