Psalm 42

Dewey Westra, 1931, rev.

1. As the hart, about to falter,
   In its trembling agony,
   Longs for flowing streams of water,
   So, O God, I long for Thee.
   Yes, athirst for Thee I cry;
   God of life, O when shall I
   Come again to stand before Thee
   In Thy temple, and adore Thee?
   
2. Bitter tears of lamentation
   Are my food by night and day.
   In my deep humiliation
   “Where is now your God?” they say.
   Oh, my soul’s poured out in me,
   When I bring to memory
   How the throngs I would assemble,
   Shouting praises in Thy temple.
   
3. O my soul, why are you grieving,
   Why disquieted in me?
   Hope in God, your faith retrieving:
   He will still your refuge be.
   I again shall laud His grace
   For the comfort of His face:
   He will show His help and favor,
   For He is my God and Savior.
   
4. From the land beyond the Jordan,
   With my soul cast down in me,
   From Mount Mizar and Mount Hermon
   I will yet remember Thee.
   As the waters plunge and leap,
   Deep reechoes unto deep;
   All Thy waves and billows roaring
   O’er my troubled soul are pouring.
   
5. But the LORD will send salvation,
   And by day His love provide.
   He shall be my exultation,
   And my song at eventide.
   On His praise e’en in the night
   I will ponder with delight,
   And in prayer, transcending distance,
   Seek the God of my existence.
   
6. I will say to God, my fortress,
   “Why hast Thou forgotten me?
   Why must I proceed in sadness,
   Hounded by the enemy?”
   Their rebukes and scoffing words
   Pierce my bones like pointed swords,
   As they say with proud defiance,
   “Where is God, your firm reliance?”
   
7. O my soul, why are you grieving,
   Why disquieted in me?
   Hope in God, your faith retrieving:
   He will still your refuge be.
   I again shall laud His grace
   For the comfort of His face:
   He will show His help and favor,
   For He is my God and Savior.