Psalm 43[a]

Vindicate me, God, and champion my cause
against an unfaithful nation;
rescue me from the deceitful and unjust person.(A)
For you are the God of my refuge.
Why have you rejected me?
Why must I go about in sorrow
because of the enemy’s oppression?(B)

Send your light and your truth; let them lead me.(C)
Let them bring me to your holy mountain,
to your dwelling place.(D)
Then I will come to the altar of God,
to God, my greatest joy.(E)
I will praise you with the lyre,
God, my God.(F)

Why, my soul, are you so dejected?
Why are you in such turmoil?
Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him,
my Savior and my God.(G)

Footnotes

  1. 43:0 Many Hb mss connect Pss 42 and 43

Prayer to God in Time of Trouble

43 Vindicate (A)me, O God,
And (B)plead my cause against an ungodly nation;
Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man!
For You are the God of my strength;
Why do You cast me off?
(C)Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

(D)Oh, send out Your light and Your truth!
Let them lead me;
Let them bring me to (E)Your holy hill
And to Your [a]tabernacle.
Then I will go to the altar of God,
To God my exceeding joy;
And on the harp I will praise You,
O God, my God.

(F)Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The [b]help of my countenance and my God.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 43:3 dwelling places
  2. Psalm 43:5 Lit. salvation

Psalm 43

43 Establish justice for me, God!
    Argue my case against ungodly people!
    Rescue me from the dishonest and unjust!
Because you are my God, my protective fortress!
    Why have you rejected me?
    Why do I have to walk around,
        sad, oppressed by enemies?
Send your light and truth—those will guide me!
    Let them bring me to your holy mountain,
        to your dwelling place.
Let me come to God’s altar—
let me come to God, my joy, my delight—
    then I will give you thanks with the lyre,
    God, my God!

Why, I ask myself, are you so depressed?
    Why are you so upset inside?
    Hope in God!
        Because I will again give him thanks,
        my saving presence and my God.