Ps 42:5 - Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation 6 and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. The Psalmist was far away from his home (south) on the other side of the country (north) on some remote mountain top called Mt. Mizar.
It's interesting how in his 'thirst' for God he addressed his soul first before addressing God. And notice how he address his soul.
1. He listens to his soul. Asked his soul WHY. He pours out his soul. And only then does he... 2. Tell his soul to HOPE
Pour out your soul. Give your soul a chance to speak. Listen to it. You say, "I don't feel like there is anything there to pour out?" Then fine - talk about that. If nothing else, talk to God about how you are getting nothing out of it. If nothing else, talk to God about how much you miss him, or how much you don't miss him. If nothing else, talk to the absent God about his absence. Give your soul a chance to speak to you before you speak to it.
This is self-examination at a profound level, which allows the psalmist to see the things that he puts his hopes in, which are not going to be able to sustain his soul unless he hopes in God.