Psalm 43:2
New International Version
You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?

New Living Translation
For you are God, my only safe haven. Why have you tossed me aside? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies?

English Standard Version
For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you rejected me? Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

Berean Standard Bible
For You are the God of my refuge. Why have You rejected me? Why must I walk in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression?

King James Bible
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?

New King James Version
For You are the God of my strength; Why do You cast me off? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

New American Standard Bible
For You are the God of my strength; why have You rejected me? Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

NASB 1995
For You are the God of my strength; why have You rejected me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

NASB 1977
For Thou art the God of my strength; why hast Thou rejected me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

Legacy Standard Bible
For You are the God of my strength; why have You rejected me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

Amplified Bible
For You are the God of my strength [my stronghold—in whom I take refuge]; why have You rejected me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

Christian Standard Bible
For you are the God of my refuge. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For You are the God of my refuge. Why have You rejected me? Why must I go about in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression?

American Standard Version
For thou art the God of my strength; why hast thou cast me off? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

Contemporary English Version
I run to you for protection. Why do you turn me away? Why must enemies mistreat me and make me sad?

English Revised Version
For thou art the God of my strength; why hast thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You are my fortress, O God! Why have you rejected me? Why must I walk around in mourning while the enemy oppresses me?

Good News Translation
You are my protector; why have you abandoned me? Why must I go on suffering from the cruelty of my enemies?

International Standard Version
Since you are the God who strengthens me, why have you forsaken me? Why do I go around mourning under the enemy's oppression?"

Majority Standard Bible
For You are the God of my refuge. Why have You rejected me? Why must I walk in sorrow because of the enemy?s oppression?

NET Bible
For you are the God who shelters me. Why do you reject me? Why must I walk around mourning because my enemies oppress me?

New Heart English Bible
For you, God, are my strength. Why have you rejected me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

Webster's Bible Translation
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?

World English Bible
For you are the God of my strength. Why have you rejected me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
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?

Young's Literal Translation
For thou art the God of my strength. Why hast Thou cast me off? Why mourning do I go up and down, In the oppression of an enemy?

Smith's Literal Translation
For thou the God of my strength: why didst thou reject me? wherefore darkened shall I go about for the oppression of the enemy?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For thou art God my strength : why hast thou cast me off? and why do I go sorrowful whilst the enemy afflicteth me?

Catholic Public Domain Version
For you are God, my strength. Why have you rejected me? And why do I walk in sadness, while the adversary afflicts me?

New American Bible
Send your light and your fidelity, that they may be my guide; Let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place of your dwelling,

New Revised Standard Version
For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you cast me off? Why must I walk about mournfully because of the oppression of the enemy?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For thou art the God of my strength; why has thou forsaken me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because you are the God of my power and why have you forgotten me, and why do I walk sadly in distress of my enemies?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For Thou art the God of my strength; why hast Thou cast me off? Why go I mourning under the oppression of the enemy?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For thou, O God, art my strength: wherefore hast thou cast me off? and why do I go sad of countenance, while the enemy oppresses me?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Send Out Your Light
1Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; deliver me from deceitful and unjust men. 2For You are the God of my refuge. Why have You rejected me? Why must I walk in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression? 3Send out Your light and Your truth; let them lead me. Let them bring me to Your holy mountain, and to the place where You dwell.…

Cross References
Psalm 42:9
I say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why must I walk in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression?”

Job 30:20
I cry out to You for help, but You do not answer; when I stand up, You merely look at me.

Psalm 22:1
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Doe of the Dawn.” A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my words of groaning?

Psalm 13:1-2
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? / How long must I wrestle in my soul, with sorrow in my heart each day? How long will my enemy dominate me?

Psalm 77:7-9
“Will the Lord spurn us forever and never show His favor again? / Is His loving devotion gone forever? Has His promise failed for all time? / Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has His anger shut off His compassion?” Selah

Isaiah 49:14
But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; the Lord has forgotten me!”

Lamentations 3:8
Even when I cry out and plead for help, He shuts out my prayer.

Habakkuk 1:2
How long, O LORD, must I call for help but You do not hear, or cry out to You, “Violence!” but You do not save?

Matthew 27:46
About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Mark 15:34
At the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Romans 8:31-39
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? / He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things? / Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. ...

2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; / persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 6:4-10
Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities; / in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in labor, sleepless nights, and hunger; / in purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; ...

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Hebrews 13:5-6
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” / So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”


Treasury of Scripture

For you are the God of my strength: why do you cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

the God

Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

Psalm 140:7
O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.

Exodus 15:2
The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.

why dost

Psalm 71:9
Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.

Psalm 77:7
Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?

Psalm 94:14
For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.

why go

Psalm 42:9
I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

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Psalm 43
1. David, praying to be restored to the temple, promises to serve God joyfully
5. He encourages his soul to trust in God














For You are the God of my refuge
This phrase begins with a profound acknowledgment of God as a place of safety and protection. The Hebrew word for "refuge" is "מָעוֹז" (ma'oz), which conveys a stronghold or a fortified place. In the ancient Near Eastern context, cities often had strongholds or fortresses where inhabitants could retreat during times of attack. Spiritually, this signifies that God is the ultimate protector and sanctuary for the believer, offering security amidst life's adversities. The psalmist's declaration here is both a statement of faith and a reminder of God's unwavering presence and strength.

Why have You rejected me?
The psalmist expresses a deep sense of abandonment with this poignant question. The Hebrew root for "rejected" is "זָנַח" (zanach), which means to cast off or forsake. This reflects a moment of spiritual crisis, where the psalmist feels distanced from God's favor. Historically, such feelings were not uncommon among the Israelites, especially during periods of exile or oppression. This question underscores the human experience of feeling distant from God, yet it also invites believers to seek understanding and reconciliation with Him, trusting in His ultimate plan and purpose.

Why must I walk about in sorrow
Here, the psalmist describes a state of mourning or distress. The phrase "walk about in sorrow" suggests a continuous, burdensome journey. The Hebrew word for "sorrow" is "קָדַר" (qadar), which can also mean to be dark or gloomy. This imagery evokes the experience of carrying a heavy emotional load, often associated with grief or despair. In the biblical narrative, walking is frequently used as a metaphor for one's life journey or spiritual path. This phrase encourages believers to acknowledge their struggles while seeking God's guidance and comfort along their journey.

because of the oppression of the enemy?
The psalmist identifies the source of his sorrow as the "oppression of the enemy." The Hebrew word for "oppression" is "לַחַץ" (lachats), which implies pressure or affliction. Historically, Israel faced numerous adversaries, and this term captures the physical and spiritual challenges posed by such foes. The "enemy" can be understood both literally, as foreign nations or individuals, and metaphorically, as spiritual forces or personal trials. This phrase calls believers to recognize the reality of opposition in their lives, while also affirming that God is greater than any adversary they may face. It serves as a reminder to rely on God's strength and deliverance in times of trouble.

Verse 2. - For thou art the God of my strength; i.e. the God in whom is all my strength (Psalm 28:7). Why dost thou cast me off? An equivalent to the "Why hast thou forgotten me?" of Psalm 42:9. Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? Repeated, with the variation of a single word, from Psalm 42:9.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

You
אַתָּ֤ה ׀ (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

are the God
אֱלֹהֵ֣י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of my refuge.
מָֽעוּזִּי֮ (mā·‘ūz·zî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 4581: A place or means of safety, protection

Why
לָמָ֪ה (lā·māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

have You rejected me?
זְנַ֫חְתָּ֥נִי (zə·naḥ·tā·nî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 2186: Reject, forsake, fail

Why
לָֽמָּה־ (lām·māh-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

must I walk
אֶתְהַלֵּ֗ךְ (’eṯ·hal·lêḵ)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

in sorrow
קֹדֵ֥ר (qō·ḏêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6937: To be ashy, darkcolored, to mourn

because of the enemy’s
אוֹיֵֽב׃ (’ō·w·yêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary

oppression?
בְּלַ֣חַץ (bə·la·ḥaṣ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3906: Oppression, distress


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OT Poetry: Psalm 43:2 For you are the God of my (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 43:1
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