Common English Bible CEB
The Message Bible MSG
1 Just like a deer that craves streams of water, my whole being craves you, God.
1
A white-tailed deer drinks from the creek; I want to drink God, deep draughts of God.
2 My whole being thirsts for God, for the living God. When will I come and see God's face?
2
I'm thirsty for God-alive. I wonder, "Will I ever make it - arrive and drink in God's presence?"
3 My tears have been my food both day and night, as people constantly questioned me, "Where's your God now?"
3
I'm on a diet of tears - tears for breakfast, tears for supper. All day long people knock at my door, Pestering, "Where is this God of yours?"
4 But I remember these things as I bare my soul: how I made my way to the mighty one's abode, to God's own house, with joyous shouts and thanksgiving songs— a huge crowd celebrating the festival!
4
These are the things I go over and over, emptying out the pockets of my life. I was always at the head of the worshiping crowd, right out in front, Leading them all, eager to arrive and worship, Shouting praises, singing thanksgiving - celebrating, all of us, God's feast!
5 Why, I ask myself, are you so depressed? Why are you so upset inside? Hope in God! Because I will again give him thanks, my saving presence and my God.
5
Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God - soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God.
6 My whole being is depressed. That's why I remember you from the land of Jordan and Hermon, from Mount Mizar.
6
When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse everything I know of you, From Jordan depths to Hermon heights, including Mount Mizar.
7 Deep called to deep at the noise of your waterfalls; all your massive waves surged over me.
7
Chaos calls to chaos, to the tune of whitewater rapids. Your breaking surf, your thundering breakers crash and crush me.
8 By day the LORD commands his faithful love; by night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.
8
Then God promises to love me all day, sing songs all through the night! My life is God's prayer.
9 I will say to God, my solid rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why do I have to walk around, sad, oppressed by enemies?"
9
Sometimes I ask God, my rock-solid God, "Why did you let me down? Why am I walking around in tears, harassed by enemies?"
10 With my bones crushed, my foes make fun of me, constantly questioning me: "Where's your God now?"
10
They're out for the kill, these tormentors with their obscenities, Taunting day after day, "Where is this God of yours?"
11 Why, I ask myself, are you so depressed? Why are you so upset inside? Hope in God! Because I will again give him thanks, my saving presence and my God.
11
Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God - soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.