In Judaism, Psalm 43 is seen as a meaningful prayer to overcome the difficulties of suffering caused by enemies of the Jewish people. Jews hope that G-d will soon send the Mashiach and the prophet Elijah so that they can lead them to the Holy Temple to offer sacrifices to G-d as before. Psalm 43 is seen as a sequel to Psalm 42. In both Psalms the longing for G-d and His salvation is expressed.
- Text Psalm 43
- Hebrew text Psalm 43 – תהילים מג
- Listen to Psalm 43
- Commentary on Psalm 43 by Rabbi Yitzchok Rubin
- Rashi’s commentary on Psalm 43
- Further explanation of the above Jewish comments
- Psalm 1 to 92
Text Psalm 43
Deliver justice to me, O G-d, fight for my cause. Protect me from a loveless people, full of cunning and deceit. You are my God, my refuge, why do you reject me, why do I go covered in black, plagued by the enemy? Send Your light and Your truth, let them guide me and bring me to Your holy mountain, to the place where You dwell. Then I will approach the altar of G-d, to G-d, my highest joy. Then I will praise You with the lyre, G‑d, my G‑d. How sad you are, my soul, and troubled within me. Put your hope in G-d, one day I will praise Him again, my G-d who sees and saves me.
Hebrew text Psalm 43 – תהילים מג
O God, judge me, and my usury is from a non-Hasidian heathen, let no one deceive me and destroy me. 2. Because you are my God, why have you forsaken me? Why do I walk gloomily under the pressure of an enemy? 3 Send your length and your truth, let me guide you to your holy mountain and to your tabernacles. D And Oboa to the Altar of God to the God of the joy of Gilead with the harp of God, my God. Why will my soul bow down and what will you ask about me to God, for the salvation of my face and my God is yet to come.
Listen to Psalm 43
Listen to Psalm 43 in Hebrew.
Commentary on Psalm 43 by Rabbi Yitzchok Rubin
Jews are surrounded by many peoples, all with their own interests. They have no regard for the Jewish people. First they try to make sweet cakes with the Jews and get them to do their thing, then the Jews are blamed for everything and everything. The first verse speaks of both a nation and a person. Because as soon as it concerns Jews, they both have only one goal….
Despite all hostility, Jews ask G-d to send His truth. Because when everything around us is a trick and deception, it is easy to lose hope . It seems easier to accept lies than to fight and live on hope alone. King David rejects those thoughts. The truth lies only in G-d’s words. Staying true to this fact will bring us to His Sanctuary which is the truth.
Our souls are drawn to holiness. We want to be part of the altar, a life of holiness. This can only be done by living a spiritual life. Just as a musician must practice daily to play perfectly, we must train our spiritual life daily. It is not about a single spiritual experience, it lasts a lifetime. Not a soul is lost. Have faith in G-d. Do not despair and do not let the enemy proclaim his victory. Although G-d’s Sanctuary is not yet present, it can be rebuilt in our hearts.
Rashi’s commentary on Psalm 43
Per verse the commentary of Rashi, the Jewish Bible commentator who lived from 1040-1105. Rashi is considered the teacher of teachers. All traditional Jews regard Rashi as an authority on the Jewish Bible and Talmud. Hence it is important to record his commentary on the Psalms. Rashi uses new Hebrew supplemented with Old French words. His language is sometimes somewhat oracularly short. For further explanation it is wise to consult an orthodox Jewish rabbi.
Verse 1
Avenge me, O G-d, and plead my cause against an unkind nation, from a man of deceit and unrighteousness. You will save me.
Avenge me : Hebrew שפטני, literally, judge me.
against an unfriendly nation : That is Ishmael, who dwelt between two righteous men [Abraham and Isaac] and did not learn from their deeds.
Verse 3
Send Your light and Your truth, that they may guide me; they will bring me to Your holy mountain and to Your dwelling places.
Send Your light and Your truth : The King Messiah, who is compared to light, as said (under 132:17): ,I have set up a lamp for my anointed,, and Elijah, the true prophet, a faithful prophet.
that they may guide me : Hebrew ינחוני, menoront moi in old French, they will guide me.
Verse 4
And I will come to the altar of G‑d, to the G‑d of the joy of my joy, and I will give thanks to You with a lyre, O G‑d, my G‑d.
to G‑d : To the Holy One, blessed be He, who is the joy of my elation.
and I will thank You with a lyre : because You brought me out of my exile.
Further explanation of the above Jewish comments
Hatred of Jews has existed since the time of the Bible. Israel has to fight again and again against enemies who want to get rid of the Jewish people. It is also a battle of Jew haters against the God of Israel. Psalm 83:2-5 states the following:
O G-d, do not hold your peace,
O G-d, do not be silent, Your enemies are moved ,
Those who hate you lift up their heads with pride. They commit violence against Your people. a plot,They conspire against your darling,And say, ,Come, we will destroy this nation,Israel’s name will never be mentioned again.,
The hatred of the Jewish people varies from aversion to a pathological hatred of Judaism and the Jews who are its exponents. Hatred of Jews varies over time. In the past it was mainly theologically motivated. Later this turned into genetic (racist) motives. And in our time it is mainly hatred against Israel that challenges the legitimacy of the Jewish state.
Psalm 1 to 92
Would you like to read more Psalms with a Jewish interpretation? Go to: Psalms 1 through 92.