1For the leader. A maskil of the descendants of Korach: Just as a deer longs for running streams, God, I long for you.
2I am thirsty for God, for the living God! When can I come and appear before God?
3My tears are my food, day and night, while all day people ask me, "Where is your God?"
4I recall, as my feelings well up within me, how I'd go with the crowd to the house of God, with sounds of joy and praise from the throngs observing the festival.
5My soul, why are you so downcast? Why are you groaning inside me? Hope in God, since I will praise him again for the salvation that comes from his presence.
6My God, when I feel so downcast, I remind myself of you from the land of Yarden, from the peaks of Hermon, from the hill Mizar.
7Deep is calling to deep at the thunder of your waterfalls; all your surging rapids and waves are sweeping over me.
8By day ADONAI commands his grace, and at night his song is with me as a prayer to the God of my life.
9I say to God my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, under pressure by the enemy?
10My adversaries' taunts make me feel as if my bones were crushed, as they ask me all day long, 'Where is your God?'"
11My soul, why are you so downcast? Why are you groaning inside me? Hope in God, since I will praise him again for being my Savior and God.