To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.
1 Like as the hart panting doth bray
after the water brooks,
even in such wise, O God, my soul
after thee panting looks.
2 For God, even for the living God,
my soul it thirsteth sore:
oh when shall I come and appear
the face of God before?
3 My tears have been unto me meat
by night also by day,
while all the day they unto me,
Where is thy God? do say.
4 When as I do in mind record
these things, then me upon
I do my soul out pour: for I
with multitude had gone,
with them unto God’s house I went,
with voice of joy and praise,
I with a multitude did go
that did keep holy days.
5 My soul, why art cast down? and art
stirr’d in me? thy hope place
in God: for yet him praise I shall
for the help of his face.
(2)
6 My God, my soul in me’s cast down:
therefore thee mind I will
from Jordan’s, and Hermonites’ land,
and from the little hill.
7 At the noise of thy water spouts
deep unto deep doth call:
thy waves they are gone over me,
also thy billows all.
8 His loving kindness yet the Lord
command will in the day,
and in the night his song with me,
to my life’s God I’ll pray.
9 I unto God will say, My rock,
why hast thou forgot me?
why go I sad by reason of
pressure of th’ enemy?
10 As with a sword within my bones,
my foes reproach me do;
while all the day, Where is thy God?
they do say me unto.
11 My soul, O wherefore dost thou bow
thyself down heavily?
and wherefore in me makest thou
a stir tumultuously?
hope thou in God: because I shall
with praise him yet advance,
who is my God; also he is
health of my countenance.