Bible Strands
Psalms 43:2
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?
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses God directly, juxtaposing a declaration of trust with a lament over perceived abandonment during ongoing conflict with hostile forces.
The words — The Hebrew maʿuzzî (refuge/my) names God as the speaker’s place of safety, while qōḏer (mourning/sorrow) describes the emotional state resulting from external pressure.
The thread — The psalmist’s plea mirrors the structure of Psalm 42:9, and the theme of divine strength amid opposition connects to Psalm 28:7 and Ephesians 6:10.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to accept that faith and despair can occupy the same moment, demanding honest confrontation with perceived divine silence before seeking restoration.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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?
Cross-references
- Psalms 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I give thanks to Him with my song.
- Psalms 42:9 I say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why must I walk in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression?”
- Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
- Psalms 94:14 For the LORD will not forsake His people; He will never abandon His heritage.
- Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.
- Psalms 44:9 But You have rejected and humbled us; You no longer go forth with our armies.
- Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
- 1 Chronicles 28:9 As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.
- Psalms 71:9 Do not discard me in my old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails.
- Psalms 77:7 “Will the Lord spurn us forever and never show His favor again?