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 an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust 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 thou [art] the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the 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.

O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me to thy holy hill, and to thy 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.

Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my exceeding joy: yes, upon the harp will I praise thee, 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 art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, [who] is the health of my countenance, and my God.