Get the free app for more features and content.
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

Why Are You Cast Down, O My Soul?

To the choirmaster. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah.

1As a deer pants for flowing streams,

so pants my soul for you, O God.

2My soul thirsts for God,

for the living God.

When shall I come and appear before God?

3My tears have been my food

day and night,

while they say to me all the day long,

“Where is your God?”

4These things I remember,

as I pour out my soul:

how I would go with the throng

and lead them in procession to the house of God

with glad shouts and songs of praise,

a multitude keeping festival.

5Why are you cast down, O my soul,

and why are you in turmoil within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

my salvation6and my God.

My soul is cast down within me;

therefore I remember you

from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,

from Mount Mizar.

7Deep calls to deep

at the roar of your waterfalls;

all your breakers and your waves

have gone over me.

8By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,

and at night his song is with me,

a prayer to the God of my life.

9I say to God, my rock:

“Why have you forgotten me?

Why do I go mourning

because of the oppression of the enemy?”

10As with a deadly wound in my bones,

my adversaries taunt me,

while they say to me all the day long,

“Where is your God?”

11Why are you cast down, O my soul,

and why are you in turmoil within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

my salvation and my God.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ©2001 Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.
English Standard Version, ESV, and the ESV logo are registered trademarks of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. Click here to review ESV Full Copyright Notice and Permissions Information.

Featured Resources

What It Means to Love God With "All Your Soul"

What It Means to Love God With "All Your Soul"

We explore the Hebrew word "nephesh" that often gets translated as "soul." Th...

BibleProject

When Depression Descends, Do the Next Thing

When Depression Descends, Do the Next Thing

Episode 711. Read or subscribe: https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/when-...

Desiring God

Introduction to Psalms

Introduction to Psalms

Dr. David Taylor introduces the Psalms, songs that engage with the depth and ...

Fuller Studio

How to Have a Better Prayer Life

How to Have a Better Prayer Life

Kyle Strobel claims that “prayer thrives when it’s done honestly” and points ...

The Gospel Coalition

The Book of Psalms

The Book of Psalms

The book of Psalms is the largest collection of poetry in the Bible. In this ...

BibleProject

Discovering How to Pray: Prayer in the Psalms

Discovering How to Pray: Prayer in the Psalms

Timothy Keller preaches on the Psalms as the prayerbook of the Bible in this ...

The Gospel Coalition

The Art of Biblical Poetry

The Art of Biblical Poetry

Did you know that a third of the Bible is ancient Israelite poetry? Poetry is...

BibleProject

Book of Psalms Summary: A Complete Animated Overview

Book of Psalms Summary: A Complete Animated Ove...

Watch our overview video on the book of Psalms, which breaks down the literar...

BibleProject

Old Testament Summary: A Complete Animated Overview

Old Testament Summary: A Complete Animated Over...

Watch our overview video on the Old Testament, also known as the Hebrew Bible...

BibleProject

Explore Psalm 42