Longing. That’s how this psalm of the sons of Korah (1 Chr 6:31-37) begins.
“As a deer longs for streams of water, so I long for You, God” (Ps 42:1).
But this longing is in the context of great sorrow.
“My tears have been my food day and night” (Ps 42:3).
And great accusation.
“All day long people say to me, “Where is your God?“” (Ps 42:3).
And then we get a glimpse of what Old Testament “church” looked like, perhaps when there was a “festive” event.
“I remember this as I pour out my heart: how I walked with many, leading the festive procession to the house of God, with joyful and thankful shouts” (Ps 42:4).
The Psalm then is a direct address to himself,
“Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me? Put your hope in God, for I will sill praise Him” (Ps 42:5).
Then the psalm says something so beautiful:
“His song will be with me in the night” (Ps 42:8).
There’s too much richness in that statement alone to expand any further.