Psalm 42 has a longing for God that only God can satisfy. 

This longing causes the Psalm to weave through cherished memories. Thinking back to the times of festival at God’s temple with God’s people. 

But these memories are like drinking tears, the salt only makes the thirst more intolerable. 

But yet, the psalmist knows and hopes that as God gave once, so he will give again, and so we are called to hope in God because he is our salvation and our rock.