Psalms 42

1 As the deer [hart, a type of swift deer] pants [longs intensely, yearns] for streams [water brooks, flowing rivers] of water, so my soul [inner being, spirit] longs [pants, thirsts] after You, O God [the one true living God]. word study 2 My soul [living being, essence of a person] thirsts [longs for, yearns deeply] for God [Elohim, the supreme God], the living [eternal, self-existent] God. When shall I come [appear, present myself] and appear [see, behold] in God’s [the Almighty’s] presence [before His face]? word study 3 My tears [have been my only sustenance] have been my food [meat, nourishment] both day and night, while men [continually, day by day] ask me all day long, “Where is your God [Elohim, the supreme One, divine Provider]?” word study 4 These things come to mind [are remembered, I recall] as I pour out my soul [with deep emotion, inwardly]: how I walked [proceeded, went] with the multitude [a large crowd, throng], leading [guiding, at the head of] the procession [a festive crowd, a joyful gathering] to the house of God [the temple, the place of worship] with shouts [voices, a loud expression] of joy [happiness, rejoicing] and praise [thanksgiving, adoration]. word study 5 Why are you downcast [cast down, disheartened], O my soul [living being, essence of a person]? Why the unease [disquiet, turmoil] within me? Put your hope [trust, confidence] in God [Elohim, the supreme God], for I will yet praise Him [give thanks, extol] for the salvation [deliverance, rescue] of His presence [countenance, face]. word study 6 O my God [Elohim, the supreme Creator], my soul [the essence of my being] despairs [is cast down, bowed] within me. Therefore I remember You [with gratitude, from the heart] from the land of Jordan [the river’s source] and the peaks [heights, mountains] of Hermon [a sacred mountain, a place of worship]— even from Mount Mizar [a small hill, a place of reflection]. word study 7 Deep [profound, unending] calls to deep [the unknown, the unexplored] in the roar [thunder, crashing sound] of Your waterfalls [waterspouts, cataracts]; all Your breakers [waves, billows] and waves [surges, floods] have rolled [swept, gone over] over me. word study 8 The LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] decrees [commands, ordains] His loving devotion [faithful love, kindness] by day, and at night [in the darkness, during the evening] His song [a hymn of praise, a melody] is with me as a prayer [a heartfelt cry, a supplication] to the God [Elohim, the supreme God] of my life [my existence, my very being]. word study 9 I say to God [my Strength] my Rock, “Why have You [seemingly] forgotten me? Why must I walk [go mourning, weep] in sorrow [grief, distress] because of the enemy’s [oppressor’s, foe’s] oppression [cruel tyranny]?” word study 10 Like the crushing [with a sword, as with a crushing weight] of my bones [my inner being, my deepest self], my enemies [adversaries, those who oppose me] taunt [reproach, mock] me, while they say [continually ask, reproach me daily] to me all day long, “Where [what has become of, how is it that] is your God [Elohim, the supreme Creator, the Rock of salvation]?” word study 11 Why are you downcast [crushed, disheartened], O my soul [my inner being, my heart]? Why the unease [disquiet, turmoil] within me? Put your hope [trust, confidence] in God [Elohim, my Savior], for I will yet praise Him, my Savior [the one who saves me] and my God [my loving Creator]. word study