For the director of music. A maskil of the Sons of Korah.
1A deer longs for streams of water. God, I long for you in the same way.2I am thirsty for God. I am thirsty for the living God. When can I go and meet with him?3My tears have been my food day and night. All day long people say to me, ‘Where is your God?’4When I remember what has happened, I tell God all my troubles. I remember how I used to walk to the house of God. The Mighty One guarded my steps. We shouted with joy and praised God as we went along with the joyful crowd.5My spirit, why are you so sad? Why are you so upset deep down inside me? Put your hope in God. Once again I will have reason to praise him. He is my Saviour and my God.6My spirit is very sad deep down inside me. So I will remember you here where the River Jordan begins. I will remember you here on the Hermon mountains and on Mount Mizar.7You have sent wave upon wave of trouble over me. It roars down on me like a waterfall. All your waves and breakers have rolled over me.8During the day the LORD sends his love to me. During the night I sing about him. I say a prayer to the God who gives me life.9I say to God my Rock, ‘Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go around in sorrow? Why am I treated so badly by my enemies?’10My body suffers deadly pain as my enemies make fun of me. All day long they say to me, ‘Where is your God?’11My spirit, why are you so sad? Why are you so upset deep down inside me? Put your hope in God. Once again I will have reason to praise him. He is my Saviour and my God.