Psalm 42

Book Two opens with thirst: a deer panting for water, tears for food, and people asking "Where is your God?" The psalmist talks to his own soul: "Why are you downcast?" That's a healthy kind of self-talk, neither shaming nor indulging, just steering it back toward hope. Depression-like language is allowed here: "my soul despairs," "all Your breakers and waves have rolled over me." Psalms 42 and 43 are one poem with a shared refrain.

"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence." (Psalm 42:5)

Versions/Hebrew: In 42:5, "put your hope" is hochili [3176], wait expectantly, and "I will yet praise Him" is odennu from yadah [3034] (YLT "still I confess Him"). "The salvation of His presence" is literally "the salvations of His face" [3444, 6440].