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 acknowledges God as a place of safety and protection, a recurring theme throughout the Psalms. The term "refuge" suggests a stronghold or sanctuary, reflecting the ancient Near Eastern practice of seeking asylum in sacred spaces. This concept is echoed in Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." The psalmist's declaration of God as a refuge underscores a deep trust in God's ability to provide shelter from life's adversities. This imagery also points to the ultimate refuge found in Jesus Christ, who offers spiritual safety and salvation.

Why have You rejected me?
The psalmist expresses a feeling of divine abandonment, a sentiment that resonates with the human experience of spiritual desolation. This question reflects the tension between faith and doubt, a common theme in the Psalms. Historically, this could relate to periods of national crisis for Israel, such as the Babylonian exile, when the people felt forsaken by God. This cry of rejection is also prophetic, foreshadowing Christ's own words on the cross, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46), highlighting the depth of His suffering and identification with human anguish.

Why must I walk in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression?
The psalmist laments the ongoing distress caused by adversaries, a situation familiar to the Israelites who faced numerous enemies throughout their history. The "enemy's oppression" could refer to external threats from surrounding nations or internal strife within Israel. This phrase captures the reality of living in a fallen world where God's people often face persecution. It also points to the spiritual battle against sin and evil, with the ultimate victory found in Christ, who triumphed over all enemies through His death and resurrection. The imagery of walking in sorrow suggests a journey or pilgrimage, reminding believers of their transient state on earth and the hope of eternal joy in God's presence.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God
Referred to as the "God of my refuge," indicating a personal relationship and a source of protection and safety for the psalmist.

2. The Psalmist
The author of the psalm, expressing a deep sense of abandonment and seeking God's presence amidst adversity.

3. The Enemy
Represents those who oppress and cause sorrow to the psalmist, possibly external foes or internal struggles.

4. Refuge
A metaphorical place of safety and security, highlighting God's role as a protector.

5. Sorrow and Oppression
The emotional and spiritual state of the psalmist, reflecting a period of trial and distress.
Teaching Points
God as Refuge
Emphasize the importance of viewing God as a refuge, a place of safety and security, especially during times of trouble.

The Reality of Feeling Rejected
Acknowledge that even faithful believers can feel rejected by God, and it's a part of the human experience to question and seek understanding.

Walking in Sorrow
Understand that sorrow and oppression are part of the Christian journey, but they can lead to deeper reliance on God.

The Enemy's Oppression
Recognize that the enemy can be both external and internal, and spiritual warfare requires reliance on God's strength.

Seeking God's Presence
Encourage believers to actively seek God's presence and guidance, especially when feeling distant or oppressed.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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