Psalm 43 2

Psalm 43:2 kjv

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?

Psalm 43:2 nkjv

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?

Psalm 43:2 niv

You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?

Psalm 43:2 esv

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?

Psalm 43:2 nlt

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?

Psalm 43 verses

Psalm 43 2 Meaning

The psalmist questions God, whom he recognizes as his very strength and refuge, asking why God has seemingly cast him aside. He expresses deep anguish and bewilderment over his continued state of sorrow and dejection, suffering under the relentless pressure and hostility of his adversaries. This verse reveals a profound paradox: God is acknowledged as a reliable stronghold, yet the psalmist feels abandoned and is being actively oppressed.

Psalm 43 2 Context

Psalm 43 is intimately linked with Psalm 42, often regarded as its continuation due to shared thematic elements, the distinct refrain (Ps 42:5, 11; 43:5), and the lack of a separate superscription for Psalm 43 in some ancient Hebrew manuscripts. The psalmist experiences profound inner turmoil and external pressure from adversaries, whom he describes as godless. He deeply yearns to return to the Jerusalem sanctuary, symbolized by God's holy hill and dwelling places. The mention of specific geographical locations in Psalm 42 (Hermon and Mizar) suggests the psalmist is geographically distant from Jerusalem, likely enduring a period of exile or forced displacement. Within this context, Psalm 43:2 captures the very essence of the psalmist's distress: a fervent declaration of faith in God as his "strength" starkly contrasted with his perplexing experience of apparent divine abandonment and unaddressed suffering at the hands of his foes.

Psalm 43 2 Word analysis

• For you are the God of my strength

  • "For you are": The Hebrew "Ki 'Attah" (כִּי־אַתָּה) functions as a strong, affirmative declaration. It serves to emphasize that the psalmist's complaint originates from a foundational conviction about God's character, rather than from doubt.
  • "the God of my strength": Hebrew אֱלֹהֵי מָעוּזִּי ('Elohei ma'uzzi).
    • 'Elohei: The construct form of 'Elohim, indicating a relationship of belonging ("God of"). 'Elohim is the majestic plural for God, denoting His supreme power and authority.
    • ma'uzzi: From מָעוּז (ma'oz), meaning "stronghold," "fortress," "refuge," or "place of security." This term portrays God as not just mighty, but as the psalmist's personal, impenetrable defense and the source of his resilience against both external attacks and inner collapse.

• why have you rejected me?

  • "why": Hebrew לָמָּה (lammah). This interrogative signifies deep confusion, sorrow, and often a bold question directed at God concerning His perceived inactivity or paradoxical actions. It is a defining feature of biblical laments, showcasing a faith honest enough to grapple with inexplicable suffering.
  • "have you rejected me?": Hebrew זְנַחְתָּנִי (zenakhtani). From the verb זָנַח (zanakh), meaning "to cast off," "forsake," "abandon," or "despise." This is a forceful and emotionally charged term, implying a deliberate act of distancing or expulsion by God. It directly contradicts the understanding of God as "my strength" and reflects the psalmist's agonizing experience of feeling cut off from divine help.

• Why do I go mourning

  • "Why do I go mourning": Hebrew לָמָּה־אֶתְהַלֵּךְ קֹדֵר (lammah-'ethalekh qoder).
    • lammah: Again, the questioning "why," reinforcing the ongoing bewilderment.
    • 'ethalekh: From הָלַךְ (halakh), "to walk" or "to go about." The reflexive/intransitive form indicates a continuous state or manner of being.
    • qoder: From קָדַר (qadar), "to be dark," "to be gloomy," "to be in mourning," or "to be dismal." This term describes a perpetual state of visible dejection and despair, potentially involving outward signs such as wearing dark clothes. The psalmist's life has become characterized by this enduring sorrow.

• because of the oppression of the enemy?

  • "because of": The preposition עַל ('al) indicates "on account of" or "due to," establishing a direct causal link between the enemy's actions and the psalmist's mourning.
  • "the oppression": Hebrew לַחַץ (lachats). From the verb לָחַץ (lachats), "to squeeze," "to press," "to vex," "to distress." This term denotes severe, sustained pressure and affliction designed to crush the victim. It refers to persistent and hostile persecution.
  • "of the enemy": Hebrew אוֹיֵב ('oyev). This is the standard Hebrew term for an adversary, foe, or hater. It identifies the external source of the suffering, though the psalmist perceives the effect as amplified by God's apparent non-intervention.

• Words-group by words-group analysis

  • "For you are the God of my strength; why have you rejected me?": This opening creates a profound theological tension, a paradox at the heart of the lament. The initial declaration asserts God's essential nature as the psalmist's unwavering support and defense. This bedrock truth is immediately countered by an agonized question stemming from the experience of what feels like direct, active rejection by this very God. This reflects a sincere faith that dares to articulate its deepest confusion and pain to the Divine without abandoning its core conviction.
  • "Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?": This section elaborates on the concrete results of this perceived rejection and identifies the direct agents of suffering. The perpetual "mourning" signifies a pervasive, outward demonstration of deep, ongoing inner anguish, which is attributed directly to the persistent, crushing "oppression" inflicted by external "enemies." The psalmist implies that if God truly remained his "strength" and had not seemingly abandoned him, this continuous suffering would cease.

Psalm 43 2 Bonus section

• The Honesty of Lament as Worship: This verse stands as a powerful testament to the biblical pattern of lament, showcasing how raw, unvarnished expression of pain, confusion, and even accusation directed at God can be an integral and valid form of worship. It models a faith that is courageous enough to engage with divine mystery and apparent contradiction, demonstrating an authentic relationship that doesn't hide difficult emotions from its Creator.
• Anticipation of Messiah's Suffering: The "why have you rejected me?" echoes, though not directly, the deepest cry of suffering from the cross (Psa 22:1, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"). While the psalmist's context is personal, his words capture a theological truth about the depths of suffering and perceived abandonment, culminating in the unique agony of Christ, who truly experienced ultimate forsakenness as He bore the sin of the world. This connects the human experience of lament to the profound redemptive work of the Son of God.
• Therapeutic Value for Believers: This verse provides profound comfort and permission for believers to honestly articulate their pain and doubt before God without fearing rejection. It validates the human experience of distress and the internal tension between theological conviction and the painful realities of life. It implies that questioning God from a position of trust, rather than turning away from Him, is a healthy component of spiritual growth.

Psalm 43 2 Commentary

Psalm 43:2 gives voice to the agonizing cry of a believer grappling with seemingly contradictory realities. The psalmist confidently asserts God's identity as his ultimate "strength" and refuge, a theological anchor in his life. Yet, simultaneously, he struggles with the crushing experience of perceived divine abandonment, expressed in the poignant question, "Why have you rejected me?" This is not a denial of God's character but an earnest plea born out of spiritual bewilderment. The suffering is made tangible by his continuous "mourning," which stems directly from the intense and persistent "oppression" by his adversaries. This verse portrays an honest faith that, rather than dissolving in confusion, directs its deepest pain and unresolved questions directly to God, demanding answers from the very One it still fundamentally trusts. It affirms that authentic faith permits, and even models, profound lament and wrestling with God during inexplicable suffering.

• Example 1: It's like a person who, having trusted a loyal friend implicitly, finds themselves unexpectedly left to face a severe challenge alone, leading them to question their friend's fidelity, not out of malice, but out of bewilderment.
• Example 2: This mirrors a soul's lament during prolonged spiritual dryness, where despite remembering God's past faithfulness, the current sense of His absence or silence feels like an active rejection in the face of internal struggles or external trials.