Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; deliver me from deceitful and unjust men.
Parallel translations
- WEB Vindicate me, God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation. Oh, deliver me from deceitful and wicked men.
- KJV Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.
- NKJV Vindicate me, O God, And plead my cause against an ungodly nation; Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man!
- NASB Vindicate me, God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; Save me from the deceitful and unjust person!
- NLT Declare me innocent, O God! Defend me against these ungodly people. Rescue me from these unjust liars.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The psalmist asks God to vindicate him and defend his cause against ungodly, deceitful men. He appeals to God as his righteous Judge.
Overview
Psalm 43 continues the thought of Psalm 42 and shares its refrain, suggesting they form one prayer. He pleads for divine vindication rather than self-defense. Committing one's cause to God the Judge is the believer's recourse against injustice (Romans 12:19).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Ps 35:1Of David. Contend with my opponents, O LORD; fight against those who fight against me.
- Ps 26:1Of David. Vindicate me, O LORD! For I have walked with integrity; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.
- Ps 7:8The LORD judges the peoples; vindicate me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and integrity.
- 1 Sam 24:15May the LORD be our judge and decide between you and me. May He take notice and plead my case and deliver me from your hand.”
- Ps 35:24Vindicate me by Your righteousness, O LORD my God, and do not let them gloat over me.
- Ps 71:4Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and ruthless.
- Ps 5:6You destroy those who tell lies; the LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.
- Mic 7:9Because I have sinned against Him, I must endure the rage of the LORD, until He argues my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me into the light; I will see His righteousness.
- 1 Pet 2:23When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.
- 1 Cor 4:4My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me.
- Prov 23:11for their Redeemer is strong; He will take up their case against you.
- Prov 22:23for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.
- Ps 75:7but it is God who judges; He brings down one and exalts another.
- 2 Sam 16:20Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me counsel. What should we do?”
- 2 Sam 15:31Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”
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Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 43:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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