en_tn/psa/042/001.md

For the chief musician

"This is for the director of music to use in worship."

A maschil

This may refer to a style of music. See how you translated this in Psalms 32:1.

As the deer pants ... so my soul pants after you

The author's desire for God is compared to a thirsty deer that needs water. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor)

my soul pants after you ... My soul thirsts for God

The author uses the eternal part of a person that relates to God to refer to himself. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche)

pants

heavy breathing from an animal or person that is very tired or thirsty

thirsts for God

The author uses the example of thirst to express a strong desire. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom)

when will I come and appear before God?

The author does not ask this question to get an answer but to show his strong desire to be before God. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion)