To the chief Musician, A Maskil, for the sons of Qoraĥ.

For the conductor, a maskil, of the sons of Korach [(a prophecy concerning the exiles, the destruction of the Temple, and the Davidic dynasty)].

As the hart pants after the water brooks, so my soul pants after Thee, O God.

As a hart whines over the water-courses, so does my soul whine to You, O G d.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

My soul thirsts for G d, for the living G d. When will I come and appear before G d [(in the Temple pilgrimage?) This is a prophecy of the destruction of the Temple. Three "bowings" are mentioned in this psalm (verses 6, 7, 12), alluding to three kingdoms (Bavel, Yavan, Edom), which are destined to abolish the Temple service, and from whom Israel are to be redeemed upon crying out to the L rd.]

My tears have been my bread day and night, while they say to me all the day, Where is thy God?

My tears were my bread day and night [(whence it is derived that "affliction sates a man")], when they [my foes] said to me all the day: "Where is your G d?"

When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: how I was wont to pass on with the throng, leading them in procession to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, a crowd keeping holiday.

These things I remember, and my soul spills out upon me: passing on with the throng, going leisurely with them until the house of G d, with voice of song and thanksgiving, a festive throng.

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why dost thou moan within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

Why are you bowed down, my soul, and [why do you] make moan over me? Hope in G d, for I will yet thank Him for the salvations before Him.

O my God, my soul is cast down within me: because I remember Thee from the land of Yarden and the hills of Ḥermon, from the mount Miż῾ar.

O G d, my soul is bowed down upon me, wherefore I remember You [(i.e., Your mercies, in spite of our backslidings [(in contrast to our present state)], from [what You wrought for us] at the Jordan, and the peaks of Hermon, and the small mount [(Sinai)].

Deep calls to deep at the noise of Thy cataracts: all Thy waves and Thy billows are gone over me.

Depth [of affliction] to depth calls [to swallow me]. [I am prostrate before] the roar of Your ducts. All of Your breakers and waves pass over me.

Yet the Lord will command his steadfast love in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, a prayer to the God of my life.

By day [(the light of redemption)], may the L rd command His lovingkindness [upon us]. And at night [(the night of exile and affliction)], may His resting [(the reposing of His Shechinah)] be with me — a prayer to the G d of my life.

I will say to God my rock, Why hast Thou forgotten me? why go I mourning under the oppression of the enemy?

I say to G d: My Rock, why have You forgotten me? Why do I walk in darkness under the oppression of the foe?

Like a deadly wound in my bones, my enemies taunt me; while they say daily to me, Where is thy God?

With murder [piercing] my bones have my foes shamed me, saying to me all the day: "Where is your G d?"

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why moanest thou within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Why are you bowed down, my soul, and [why do you] make moan over me? Hope in G d, for I will yet thank Him, the salvations [i.e., the light] of my countenance and my G d.