(A continuation of psalm 42)

1God, declare that I ◄am innocent/have not done things that are wrong►.
Defend me when ◄ungodly people/people who do not worship you► say things against me, rescue me from people who deceive and say things about me that are not true.

2You are God, the one who protects me; ◄why have you abandoned me?/it seems that you have abandoned me!► [RHQ] It does not seem right that [RHQ] I am forced to mourn/cry constantly because my enemies are cruel to me.

3Shine your light on me and speak your truth to me;
and let them guide me, and take me back to Zion, your sacred hill at Jerusalem,
and to your temple, where you live.

4When you do that, I will go to your altar, to worship you, my God, who causes me to be extremely joyful.
There I will praise you, the God whom I worship, while I play my harp.

5So ◄why am I sad and discouraged?/I should not be sad and discouraged!► [RHQ]
I confidently expect God to bless me, and I will praise him again,
my God, the one who saves me.