Psalms

PSALM 43

1Grant me justice, O God;

defend me from a faithless people;

from the deceitful and unjust rescue me.^a

2You, O God, are my strength.

Why then do you spurn me?

Why must I go about mourning,

with the enemy oppressing me?

3^bSend your light and your fidelity,^*

that they may be my guide;^c

Let them bring me to your holy mountain,

to the place of your dwelling,

4That I may come to the altar of God,

to God, my joy, my delight.

Then I will praise you with the harp,

O God, my God.

5Why are you downcast, my soul?

Why do you groan within me?

Wait for God, for I shall again praise him,

my savior and my God.

* [43:3] Your light and your fidelity: a pair of divine attributes personified as guides for the pilgrimage. As in Ps 42:9 the psalmist prays that these divine attributes lead him back to Jerusalem and ultimately to God’s presence in the Temple.

a. [43:1] Ps 119:154.

b. [43:3] Ps 18:29; 27:1; 36:10; Mi 7:8.

c. [43:3] Ps 122:1.