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.

Right me, defend my cause against a pitiless people. From the crafty and crooked, O God, deliver me.

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 God my protector: why have you cast me off? Why must I walk so sadly, so hard pressed by the foe?

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, let them be my guides: to your holy hill let them bring me, to the place where you live.

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.

Then will I go to God’s altar, to God my rejoicing; and with joy on the lyre I will praise you, 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 am I downcast? Why this moaning within me? Hope in God; for yet will I praise him, my help, my God.