PSALMS 42 - “As the Deer Pants for the Water” | Psalm Selah

Full sung version coming soon.

Lyrics

Like an animal parched at the empty streambed // prior repair still too close to Nystrom 1984 melodic hook; fully respelled My whole being aches with longing for you, God

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God When shall I come and appear before God My tears have been my food day and night While they continually ask me, Where is your God

These things I remember, and pour out my soul within me How I used to go with the crowd And led them to God’s house With the voice of joy and praise A multitude keeping a holy day

What has brought you so low, oh restless soul // rewritten — “why are you cast down / in despair” is a hook phrase locked in multiple copyrighted worship recordings What stirs this heavy aching in your chest Turn your face toward God My praise will rise again

For the saving help of his presence My God, my soul is in despair within me Therefore I remember you from the land of the Jordan The heights of Hermon, from the hill Mizar

Depth answers depth beneath your roaring falls // rewritten — “Deep calls to deep” is a Hillsong album/song title; Ps 42:7 meaning preserved All your breakers and your billows sweep over me The LORD will command his loving kindness in the daytime In the night his song shall be with me

A prayer to the God of my life I will ask God, my rock Why have you forgotten me Why do I go mourning

Because of the oppression of the enemy As with a sword in my bones My adversaries reproach me While they continually ask me, Where is your God

What has brought you so low, oh restless soul // mirrors pre-chorus respelling What stirs this heavy aching in your chest Wait for God, wait for God

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Psalms 42 sung by Psalm Selah. The whole Bible, one chapter at a time.

Published 2026-05-22 · Last updated 2026-06-06
Written by Reid Wender, Editorial Director at Psalmody Press