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.

Judge me, O God, And plead my cause against a nation not pious, You deliver me from a man of deceit and perverseness,

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 [are] the God of my strength. Why have You cast me off? Why do I go up and down mourning, In the oppression of an enemy?

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 lead me, they bring me in, To Your holy hill, and to Your dwelling places.

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 go to the altar of God, To God, the joy of my rejoicing. And I thank You with a 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.

Why bow yourself, O my soul? And why are you troubled within me? Wait for God, for I still confess Him, The salvation of my countenance, and my God!