Remembering Deliverance amid Present Defeat
Psalms 43
The psalmist recalls what the fathers told of how the Lord drove out the nations and planted Israel in the land by his own power, not by their sword. He then laments a present defeat in which the people are scattered and mocked among the nations, insists they have not forgotten the Lord or turned to false gods, and prays for the Lord to awake and redeem them for his name's sake.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
Thomson—
BrentonFor the end, a Psalm for instruction, for the sons of Core.
GreekΕἰς τὸ τέλος, τοῖς υἱοῖς Κορὲ εἰς σύνεσιν ψαλμός.
KJV—
JPSFor the Leader; [a Psalm] of the sons of Korah. Maschil.
2
ThomsonO GOD, we have heard with our ears—our fathers have told us the work which Thou didst in the days of old.
BrentonO God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, the work which thou wroughtest in their days, in the days of old.
GreekὉ Θεὸς ἐν τοῖς ὠσὶν ἡμῶν ἠκούσαμεν, οἱ πατέρες ἡμῶν ἀνήγγειλαν ἡμῖν, ἔργον ὃ εἰργάσω ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις αὐτῶν, ἐν ἡμεραίς ἀρχαίαις.
KJVWe have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.
JPSO God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us; a work Thou didst in their days, in the days of old.
3
ThomsonWhen Thy hand had extirpated nations, Thou didst plant them: Thou didst afflict nations and drive them out.
BrentonThine hand utterly destroyed the heathen, and thou didst plant them: thou didst afflict the nations, and cast them out.
GreekἩ χείρ σου ἔθνη ἐξωλόθρευσε, καὶ κατεφύτευσας αὐτοὺς, ἐκάκωσας λαοὺς καὶ ἐξέβαλες αὐτούς.
KJVHow thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.
JPSThou with Thy hand didst drive out the nations, and didst plant them in; Thou didst break the peoples, and didst spread them abroad.
4
ThomsonFor they took not possession of the land with their own sword: nor was it their own arm that saved them: but Thy right hand and Thine arm, and the light of Thy countenance, because Thou tookest pleasure in them.
BrentonFor they inherited not the land by their own sword, and their own arm did not deliver them; but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou wert well pleased in them.
GreekΟὐ γὰρ ἐν τῇ ῥομφαίᾳ αὐτῶν ἐκληρονόμησαν γῆν, καὶ ὁ βραχίων αὐτῶν οὐκ ἔσωσεν αὐτοὺς, ἀλλὰ ἡ δεξιά σου καὶ ὁ βραχίων σου, καὶ ὁ φωτισμὸς τοῦ προσώπου σου, ὅτι εὐδόκησας ἐν αὐτοῖς.
KJVFor they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.
JPSFor not by their own sword did they get the land in possession, Neither did their own arm save them; but Thy right hand, and Thine arm, and the light of Thy countenance, because Thou wast favourable unto them.
5
ThomsonThou, Who didst command the deliverances of Jacob; even Thou art my king and my God.
BrentonThou art indeed my King and my God, who commandest deliverances for Jacob.
GreekΣὺ εἶ αὐτὸς ὁ βασιλεύς μου καὶ ὁ Θεός μου, ὁ ἐντελλόμενος τὰς σωτηρίας Ἰακώβ.
KJVThou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.
JPSThou art my King, O God; command the salvation of Jacob.
6
ThomsonBy Thee we can push down our enemies, and through Thy name, scorn them who rise up against us.
BrentonIn thee will we push down our enemies, and in thy name will we bring to nought them that rise up against us.
GreekἘν σοὶ τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ἡμῶν κερατιοῦμεν, καὶ ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί σου ἐξουθενώσομεν τοὺς ἐπανισταμένους ἡμῖν.
KJVThrough thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.
JPSThrough Thee do we push down our adversaries; through Thy name do we tread them under that rise up against us.
7
ThomsonFor in mine own bow I will not put trust, nor is it mine own sword that can save me.
BrentonFor I will not trust in my bow, and my sword shall not save me.
GreekΟὐ γὰρ ἐπὶ τῷ τόξῳ μου ἐλπιῶ, καὶ ἡ ῥομφαία μου οὐ σώσει με.
KJVFor I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.
JPSFor I trust not in my bow, neither can my sword save me.
8
ThomsonFor Thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put to shame them who hated us.
BrentonFor thou hast saved us from them that afflicted us, and hast put to shame them that hated us.
GreekἜσωσας γὰρ ἡμᾶς ἐκ τῶν θλιβόντων ἡμᾶς, καὶ τοὺς μισοῦντας ἡμᾶς κατῄσχυνας.
KJVBut thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.
JPSBut Thou hast saved us from our adversaries, and hast put them to shame that hate us.
9
ThomsonIn God let us boast, all the day long: and to Thy name give thanks forever.
BrentonIn God will we make our boast all the day, and to thy name will we give thanks for ever. Pause.
GreekἘν τῷ Θεῷ ἐπαινεθησόμεθα ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν, καὶ ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί σου ἐξομολογησόμεθα εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα. διάψαλμα.
KJVIn God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.
JPSIn God have we gloried all the day, and we will give thanks unto Thy name for ever. Selah
10
ThomsonAnd hast Thou now cast us off and put us to shame, and wilt not go forth with our armies!
BrentonBut now thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and thou wilt not go forth with our hosts.
GreekΝυνὶ δὲ ἀπώσω καὶ κατῄσχυνας ἡμᾶς, καὶ οὐκ ἐξελεύσῃ ἐν ταῖς δυνάμεσιν ἡμῶν.
KJVBut thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our armies.
JPSYet Thou hast cast off, and brought us to confusion; and goest not forth with our hosts.
11
ThomsonThou hast turned us back before our enemies; and they who hate us have spoiled for themselves.
BrentonThou hast turned us back before our enemies; and they that hated us spoiled for themselves.
GreekἈπέστρεψας ἡμᾶς εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω παρὰ τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ἡμῶν, καὶ οἱ μισοῦντες ἡμᾶς διήρπαζον ἑαυτοῖς.
KJV—
JPS—
12
ThomsonThou hast delivered us up as sheep, to be devoured, and hast scattered us among the nations.
BrentonThou madest us as sheep for meat; and thou scatteredst us among the nations.
GreekἜδωκας ἡμᾶς ὡς πρόβατα βρώσεως, καὶ ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσι διέσπειρας ἡμᾶς·
KJVThou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen.
JPSThou hast given us like sheep to be eaten; and hast scattered us among the nations.
13
ThomsonThou hast sold Thy people for nought; the shouts of victory gave no abundance.
BrentonThou hast sold thy people without price, and there was no profit by their exchange.
GreekἈπέδου τὸν λαόν σου ἄνευ τιμῆς, καὶ οὐκ ἦν πλῆθος ἐν τοῖς ἀλαλάγμασιν αὐτῶν.
KJV—
JPS—
14
ThomsonThou hast made us a reproach to our neighbours—a scoff and derision to those around us.
BrentonThou hast made us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.
GreekἜθου ἡμᾶς ὄνειδος τοῖς γείτοσιν ἡμῶν, μυκτηρισμὸν καὶ καταγέλωτα τοῖς κύκλῳ ἡμῶν.
KJVThou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.
JPSThou makest us a taunt to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.
15
ThomsonThou hast made us a by-word among the nations—a shaking of the head among the tribes.
BrentonThou hast made us a proverb among the Gentiles, a shaking of the head among the nations.
GreekἜθου ἡμᾶς εἰς παραβολὴν ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσι, κίνησιν κεφαλῆς ἐν τοῖς λαοῖς.
KJVThou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.
JPSThou makest us a byword among the nations, a shaking of the head among the peoples.
16
ThomsonAll the day long, my confusion is before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,
BrentonAll the day my shame is before me, and the confusion of my face has covered me,
GreekὍλην τὴν ἡμέραν ἡ ἐντροπή μου κατεναντίον μου ἐστὶ, καὶ ἡ αἰσχύνη τοῦ προσώπου μου ἐκάλυψέ με,
KJVMy confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,
JPSAll the day is my confusion before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,
17
Thomsonbecause of a reproacher’s and a defamer’s voice; and by reason of an enemy and an avenger.
Brentonbecause of the voice of the slanderer and reviler; because of the enemy and avenger.
Greekἀπὸ φωνῆς ὀνειδίζοντος καὶ παραλαλοῦντος, ἀπὸ προσώπου ἐχθροῦ καὶ ἐκδιώκοντος.
KJVFor the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and avenger.
JPSFor the voice of him that taunteth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and the revengeful.
18
ThomsonAll these things have come upon us, though we have not forgotten Thee—nor dealt falsely in Thy covenant.
BrentonAll these things are come upon us: but we have not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt unrighteously in thy covenant.
GreekΤαῦτα πάντα ἦλθεν ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς, καὶ οὐκ ἐπελαθόμεθά σου, καὶ οὐκ ἠδικήσαμεν ἐν διαθήκῃ σου.
KJVAll this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.
JPSAll this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten Thee, neither have we been false to Thy covenant.
19
ThomsonThough our heart hath not turned back, yet Thou hast turned our steps from Thy way.
BrentonAnd our heart has not gone back; but thou hast turned aside our paths from thy way.
GreekΚαὶ οὐκ ἀπέστη εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω ἡ καρδία ἡμῶν, καὶ ἐξέκλινας τὰς τρίβους ἡμῶν ἀπὸ τῆς ὁδοῦ σου.
KJVOur heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way;
JPSOur heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from Thy path;
20
ThomsonBecause Thou hast humbled us in the place of affliction, and covered us with the shadow of death;
BrentonFor thou hast laid us low in a place of affliction, and the shadow of death has covered us.
GreekὍτι ἐταπείνωσας ἡμᾶς ἐν τόπῳ κακώσεως, καὶ ἐπεκάλυψεν ἡμᾶς σκιὰ θανάτου.
KJVThough thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.
JPSThough Thou hast crushed us into a place of jackals, and covered us with the shadow of death.
21
ThomsonHave we forgotten the name of our God—or have we stretched out our hands to a strange god?
BrentonIf we have forgotten the name of our God, and if we have spread out our hands to a strange god; shall not God search these things out?
GreekΕἰ ἐπελαθόμεθα τοῦ ὀνόματος τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν, καὶ εἰ διεπετάσαμεν χεῖρας ἡμῶν πρὸς θεὸν ἀλλότριον,
KJVIf we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;
JPSIf we had forgotten the name of our God, or spread forth our hands to a strange god; .
22
ThomsonWill not God search out these things, for He knoweth the secrets of the heart?
Brentonfor he knows the secrets of the heart.
Greekοὐχὶ ὁ Θεὸς ἐκζητήσει ταῦτα; αὐτὸς γὰρ γινώσκει τὰ κρύφια τῆς καρδίας.
KJVShall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
JPSWould not God search this out? For He knoweth the secrets of the heart.
23
ThomsonSince for Thy sake we are killed all the day long, and accounted as sheep for slaughter.
BrentonFor, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for slaughter.
GreekὍτι ἕνεκά σου θανατούμεθα ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν, ἐλογίσθημεν ὡς πρόβατα σφαγῆς.
KJVYea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.
JPSNay, but for Thy sake are we killed all the day; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
24
ThomsonAwake! why sleepest Thou, O Lord? Arise and cast us not off forever.
BrentonAwake, wherefore sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, and do not cast us off for ever.
GreekἘξεγέρθητι, ἱνατί ὑπνοῖς Κύριε; ἀνάστηθι, καὶ μὴ ἀπώσῃ εἰς τέλος.
KJVAwake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.
JPSAwake, why sleepest Thou, O Lord? Arouse Thyself, cast not off for ever.
25
ThomsonWhy turnest Thou away Thy face forgetting our distress and our affliction?
BrentonWherefore turnest thou thy face away, and forgettest our poverty and our affliction?
GreekἹνατί τὸ πρόσωπόν σου ἀποστρέφεις; ἐπιλανθάνῃ τῆς πτωχείας ἡμῶν καὶ τῆς θλίψεως ἡμῶν;
KJVWherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression?
JPSWherefore hidest Thou Thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression?
26
ThomsonBecause our soul is humbled to the dust, and our belly cleaveth to the ground;
BrentonFor our soul has been brought down to the dust; our belly has cleaved to the earth.
GreekὍτι ἐταπεινώθη εἰς χοῦν ἡ ψυχὴ ἡμῶν, ἐκολλήθη εἰς γῆν ἡ γαστὴρ ἡμῶν.
KJVFor our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth.
JPSFor our soul is bowed down to the dust; our belly cleaveth unto the earth.
27
Thomsonarise O Lord; come to our assistance and deliver us for the sake of Thy name.
BrentonArise, O Lord, help us, and redeem us for thy name's sake.
GreekἈνάστα Κύριε, βοήθησον ἡμῖν, καὶ λύτρωσαι ἡμᾶς ἕνεκεν τοῦ ὀνόματός σου.
KJVArise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies’ sake.
JPSArise for our help, and redeem us for Thy mercy's sake.