Translations
Modern
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?
Traditional
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?
Literal
For You are the God of my strength. Why have You rejected me? Why must I walk in mourning, in the oppression of the enemy?
Latin
Quia tu es, Deus, fortitudo mea: quare me repulisti? et quare tristis incedo, dum affligit me inimicus?
Original
Hebrew
English
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?
Notes
The psalmist turns to the Lord for rescue from his troubles, for guidance, for restoration, and for vindication.
These psalms, like Psalms 9 and 10, form a unit with a lament and a bittersweet refrain of hope (Psalm 42:5, 11; 43:5). Many Hebrew manuscripts combine these two psalms into one.
The historical context is unclear; these psalms might represent God's people in exile, expressing loyalty to God while he punishes them for their ongoing disobedience.
The psalmist longs for the fellowship with God he had in Jerusalem (Psalm 42:4); his memories only deepen his discouragement. As the psalmist cries out to God, he remembers God's love and faithfulness (Psalm 42:8), which leads him to ask for vindication (43:1–4).
Theme notes and profiles