Psalm 43:4

Translations

Modern

Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my greatest joy. I will praise You with the harp, O God, my God.

Traditional

Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.

Literal

And I will come to the altar of God, to God, the joy of my rejoicing; and I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.

Latin

Et introibo ad altare Dei, ad Deum qui lætificat juventutem meam. Confitebor tibi in cithara, Deus, Deus meus.

Original

Hebrew

English

Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my greatest joy. I will praise You with the harp, O God, my God.

Notes

Psalms 43:1–4

The psalmist turns to the Lord for rescue from his troubles, for guidance, for restoration, and for vindication.

Psalms 42:1–43:5

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

God’s Presence in the Psalms Questions and Doubt

Related verses

Isaiah 61:10
I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Habakkuk 3:17–18
Though the fig tree does not bud and no fruit is on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the sheep are cut off from the fold and no cattle are in the stalls,
Psalm 66:13–15
I will enter Your house with burnt offerings; I will fulfill my vows to You—
Psalm 57:8
Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.
Psalm 71:22–23
So I will praise You with the harp for Your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to You with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.
Psalm 116:12–19
How can I repay the LORD for all His goodness to me?
Psalm 33:2
Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to Him with ten strings.
Psalm 42:6
O my God, my soul despairs within me. Therefore I remember You from the land of Jordan and the peaks of Hermon—even from Mount Mizar.
Psalm 81:2
Lift up a song, strike the tambourine, play the sweet-sounding harp and lyre.
Psalm 26:6
I wash my hands in innocence that I may go about Your altar, O LORD,
2 Samuel 6:5
David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of wood instruments, harps, stringed instruments, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals.
Romans 5:11
Not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Glossary

David Music Numbers, Book of Psalms, Book of

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Prayer In Altar of Burnt offerings: Called Altar of God Delight Harp used in Worship Harps Joy: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Praise: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Called: The Altar of God

Psalm 43:4

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