Psalms 43

1 Bring me justice, God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation.

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.

2 For you are the God of my strength. Why have you rejected me? Why do I go about in mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

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.

3 Oh, send out your light and your truth, let them lead me. Let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling.

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.

4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy. I will praise you with the harp, God, my God.

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.

5 Why are you bowed down, my soul? Why are you upset within me? Hope in God, for again I will praise him who is my salvation and my God.

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.