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Book Two

42 This is a note for the worship leader: of the Korahites wrote song.

1 When a wild deer is very thirsty,

it takes short, quick breaths because it wants so badly

to find a brook from which it can drink water.

That is how much I want you, God.

It is as if I am taking short, quick breaths.

2 You are the only true God,

and I desire very greatly to be in your temple again

and worship in your presence.

I desire that so much

that it is as if I am very thirsty.

3 I have been crying continually.

I have been crying so much that I have not been able to eat.

This is because my enemies keep telling me,

“Your God will certainly not help you!”

4 It is appropriate for me to weep to express my great sorrow.

But to encourage myself, I should also remember

how I used to go with large groups of people

to celebrate festivals at God’s temple.

Because I was one of the worship musicians,

I would lead the people as they walked to the temple.

On the way there,

we all shouted joyfully and praised God.

5 So I certainly should not be so sad and upset!

I can confidently expect God to rescue me!

When he does, I will have the opportunity

to praise him as my savior and

6 my God. But I do feel very sad.

So even though I am a long distance from your temple, God

I will remember you from here at Mount Mizar

in the land near Mount Hermon where the Jordan River begins.

7 The waterfalls you created make such a loud sound

that it is as if one deep stream were shouting to another deep stream within the river.

I feel such anguish that it is as if

one wave after another were crashing over me.

8 Yahweh continually loves me faithfully as he promised.

In response, as he inspires me, I continually sing prayers to him.

He is the God who keeps me alive.

9 God is like a huge rock on top of which I am safe.

So I will pray to him,

“Please pay attention to me!

I am living sorrowfully because my enemies are afflicting me!”

10 Those enemies are continually insulting me.

They keep telling me, “Your God will certainly not help you!”

When they insult me like that,

it is as painful as if they were breaking my bones.

11 But I certainly should not be so sad and upset!

I can confidently expect God to rescue me!

When he does, I will have the opportunity

to praise him as my savior and my God.