Psalm chapter 43
English Standard Version
1 Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people, from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me! 2For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you rejected me? Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? 3 Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! 4Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. 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 and my God.
New International Version
1Vindicate me, my God, and plead my cause against an unfaithful nation. Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked. 2You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? 3Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.
New American Standard Bible
1Vindicate me, God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; Save me from the deceitful and unjust person! 2For You are the God of my strength; why have You rejected me? Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? 3Send out Your light and Your truth, they shall lead me; They shall bring me to Your holy hill And to Your dwelling places. 4Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And I will praise You on the lyre, God, my God. 5Why are you in despair, my soul? And why are you restless within me? Wait for God, for I will again praise Him For the help of His presence, my God.
Christian Standard Bible
New Living Translation
1Declare me innocent, O God! Defend me against these ungodly people. Rescue me from these unjust liars. 2For you are God, my only safe haven. Why have you tossed me aside? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies? 3Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live. 4There I will go to the altar of God, to God — the source of all my joy. I will praise you with my harp, O God, my God!
King James Version
New King James Version
1Vindicate me, O God, And plead my cause against an ungodly nation; Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man! 2For You are the God of my strength; Why do You cast me off? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? 3 Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle. 4Then 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. 5 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 help of my countenance and my God.
What does Psalm chapter 43 mean?
Many Hebrew manuscripts join Psalm 42 and Psalm 43 as a single work. It's possible they were separated, at some point, for unknown reasons. The themes of Psalm 43 echo those of the prior song. Overall, the psalmist honestly expresses frustration with his suffering. Yet he makes a conscious effort to remember God's faithfulness and resolves to look to the future with hope.The psalm opens with an appeal for justice. Because he is being oppressed and slandered, the writer asks why God has not yet come to the rescue. This is followed by a request echoing a prior desire to return to a place of worship (Psalm 42:4). The psalmist refers to God's truth, and His light, which are common themes in the Bible. The appeal ends on a hopeful note, with the assumption that the writer will be able to worship God in the temple once again (Psalm 43:1–4).
The final verse of this psalm is the exact phrase used twice in the prior song (Psalm 42:5, 11). This is a statement, poetically phrased as a question whose answer should be obvious. It's natural to be tempted towards despair and discouragement. Despite our feelings, we know God is faithful and that He will vindicate His people, eventually. For that reason, we can be encouraged to put all our trust in the Lord (Psalm 43:5).
