Reflection on Psalm 42

Reflection on Psalm 42

Like a hind crying out for springs of water, so my soul cries out for You, O God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living El; O, when will I come to appear before God?

My tears have been my food, day and night; my enemies taunt me all day, asking, "Where is your God?”

My God, my soul is cast down within me as I remember You in the land

of the Jordan River and Mount Herman's peaks and the smaller mountain of Sinai.

Deep cries out to deep, the sounds of the opened sluices of heaven;

all your breakers and your billows have swept over me.

By day, Adonai will command chesed/lovingkindness, and at night,

God's resting place will be with me; this is my prayer to the Almighty, God of my life.

I say to the Almighty, my Rock: "Why have you forgotten me?

Why must I walk in dark gloom, oppressed by enemies?” Crushing my bones,

my enemies revile me, taunting me all day with, "Where is your God?”

Why so downcast, my soul? Why disquieted within me? Have hope in God!

I will yet praise God, my ever-present Help, my God.

Translation from Healing of Body, Healing of Soul, ed. Rabbi Simkha Y. Weintraub