Keraia
Psalm 43

Psalm 43:5

Send Out Your Light · Psalm 43:1–5
Read Psalm 43

Translations

Modern
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.
Traditional
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Literal
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Wait for God, for still I will praise Him, the salvation of my face, and my God.
Latin
Quare tristis es, anima mea? et quare conturbas me? Spera in Deo, quoniam adhuc confitebor illi, salutare vultus mei, et Deus meus.

Original

Hebrew
English
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.

Notes

Psalms 43:5

This verse is repeated in Psalm 42:5 and 11.

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).

Glossary

David Music Numbers, Book of Psalms, Book of

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Prayer In Countenance: Health Indicated In Delight Faith: Exemplified Hope: General Scriptures Concerning