1For the Conductor, a maskil1 by the sons of Korach.
2As the deer cries longingly for brooks of water, so my soul cries longingly for You, O God!
3My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When will I come and behold the countenance of God?
4My tears have been my bread day and night, when they say to me all day, "Where is your God?”
5These do I recall, and pour out my soul from within me: how I traveled [to Jerusalem] in covered wagons; I would walk leisurely with them up to the House of God, amid the sound of rejoicing and thanksgiving, the celebrating multitude.
6Why are you downcast, my soul, and why do you wail within me? Hope to God, for I will yet thank Him for the deliverances of His countenance.
7My God! My soul is downcast upon me, because I remember You from the land of Jordan and Hermon's peaks, from Mount Mitzar.2
8 Deep calls to deep3 at the roar of Your channels; all Your breakers and waves have swept over me.
9By day the Lord ordains His kindness, and at night His song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.
10I say to God, my rock, "Why have You forgotten me? Why must I walk in gloom under the oppression of the enemy?”
11Like a sword in my bones, my adversaries disgrace me, when they say to me all day, "Where is your God?”
12Why are you downcast, my soul, and why do you wail within me? Hope to God, for I will yet thank Him; He is my deliverance, [the light of] my countenance, and my God.