Psa 42:1-2 | NETfull | STEP | For the music director; a well-written song by the Korahites. As a deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God!

Psalms 42:1-2

For the music director; a well-written song ^{▼▼ The meaning of the Hebrew term מַשְׂכִּיל (maskil) is uncertain. The word is derived from a verb meaning “to be prudent; to be wise.” Various options are: “a contemplative song,” “a song imparting moral wisdom,” or “a skillful [i.e., well-written] song.” The term occurs in the superscriptions of Pss 32, 42, 44, 45, 52–55, 74, 78, 88, 89, and 142, as well as in Ps 47:7.} by the Korahites.

1 As a deer ^{▼▼ Since the accompanying verb is feminine in form, the noun אָיִּל (’ayyil, “male deer”) should be emended to אַיֶּלֶת (’ayyelet, “female deer”). Haplography of the letter tav has occurred; note that the following verb begins with tav.} longs ^{▼▼ Or “pants [with thirst].”} for streams of water,
so I long ^{▼▼ Or “my soul pants [with thirst].” The Hebrew term נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh) with a pronominal suffix is often equivalent to a pronoun, especially in poetry (see BDB 660 s.v. נֶפֶשׁ 4.a).} for you, O God!
2 I thirst ^{▼▼ Or “my soul thirsts.”} for God,
for the living God.
I say, ^{▼▼ The words “I say” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons and for clarification.} “When will I be able to go and appear in God’s presence?” ^{▼▼ Heb “When will I go and appear [to] the face of God?” Some emend the Niphal verbal form אֵרָאֶה (’era’eh, “I will appear”) to a Qal אֶרְאֶה (’er’eh, “I will see”; see Gen 33:10), but the Niphal can be retained if one understands ellipsis of אֶת (’et) before “face” (see Exod 34:24; Deut 31:11).}