Psalms 43

1 God, declare that I (am innocent/have not done things that are wrong). Defend me when (ungodly people/people who do not worship you) say things against me, rescue me from people who deceive and [say things about me that are] not true.

A Psalm of David. Judge me, O God, and plead my cause, against an ungodly nation: deliver me from the unjust and crafty man.

2 You are God, the one who protects me; (why have you abandoned me?/it seems that you have abandoned me!) [RHQ] It does not seem right that [RHQ] I am forced to mourn/cry constantly because my enemies are cruel to me.

For you, O God, are my strength: therefore have you cast me off? and why do I go sad of countenance, while the enemy oppresses [me]?

3 Shine your light on me and speak your truth to me; and let them guide me, and take me back to Zion, your sacred hill [at Jerusalem], and to [your temple], where you live.

Send forth your light and your truth: they have led me, and brought me to your holy mountain, and to your tabernacles.

4 When you do that, I will go to your altar, to [worship you], my God, who causes me to be extremely joyful. There I will praise you, the God whom I [worship], while I play my harp.

And I will go in to the altar of God, to God who gladdens my youth: I will give thanks to you on the harp, O God, my God.

5 So (why am I sad and discouraged?/I should not be sad and discouraged!) [RHQ] I confidently expect God [to bless me], and I will praise him again, my God, the one who saves me.

Therefore are you very sad, O my soul? and therefore do you trouble me? Hope in God; for I will give thanks to him, [who is] the health of my countenance, [and] my God.