[1] As the deer pants for water, so I long for you, O God. [2] I thirst for God, the living God. Where can I find him to come and stand before him? [3] Day and night I weep for his help, and all the while my enemies taunt me. "Where is this God of yours?" they scoff. [4] Take courage, my soul! Do you remember those times (but how could you ever forget them!) when you led a great procession to the Temple on festival days, singing with joy, praising the Lord? Why then be downcast? Why be discouraged and sad? Hope in God! I shall yet praise him again. Yes, I shall again praise him for his help. [6] Yet I am standing here depressed and gloomy, but I will meditate upon your kindness to this lovely land where the Jordan River flows and where Mount Hermon and Mount Mizar stand. [7] All your waves and billows have gone over me, and floods of sorrow pour upon me like a thundering cataract. [8] Yet day by day the Lord also pours out his steadfast love upon me, and through the night I sing his songs and pray to God who gives me life. [9] "O God my Rock," I cry, "why have you forsaken me? Why must I suffer these attacks from my enemies?" [10] Their taunts pierce me like a fatal wound; again and again they scoff, "Where is that God of yours?" [11] But, O my soul, don't be discouraged. Don't be upset. Expect God to act! For I know that I shall again have plenty of reason to praise him for all that he will do. He is my help! He is my God!
