Psalm 43:4
New International Version
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.

New Living Translation
There I will go to the altar of God, to God—the source of all my joy. I will praise you with my harp, O God, my God!

English Standard Version
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.

Berean Standard Bible
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my greatest joy. I will praise You with the harp, O God, my God.

King James Bible
Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.

New King James Version
Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God.

New American Standard Bible
Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And I will praise You on the lyre, God, my God.

NASB 1995
Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And upon the lyre I shall praise You, O God, my God.

NASB 1977
Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And upon the lyre I shall praise Thee, O God, my God.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And upon the lyre I shall praise You, O God, my God.

Amplified Bible
Then I will go to the altar of God, To God, my exceeding joy; With the lyre I will praise You, O God, my God!

Christian Standard Bible
Then I will come to the altar of God, to God, my greatest joy. I will praise you with the lyre, God, my God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then I will come to the altar of God, to God, my greatest joy. I will praise You with the lyre, God, my God.

American Standard Version
Then will I go unto the altar of God, Unto God my exceeding joy; And upon the harp will I praise thee, O God, my God.

Contemporary English Version
Then I will worship at your altar because you make me joyful. You are my God, and I will praise you. Yes, I will praise you as I play my harp.

English Revised Version
Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: and upon the harp will I praise thee, O God, my God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then let me go to the altar of God, to God my [highest] joy, and I will give thanks to you on the lyre, O God, my God.

Good News Translation
Then I will go to your altar, O God; you are the source of my happiness. I will play my harp and sing praise to you, O God, my God.

International Standard Version
Then I will approach the altar of God, even to God in whom my joy finds its source. Then I will praise you with the lyre, God, my God,

Majority Standard Bible
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my greatest joy. I will praise You with the harp, O God, my God.

NET Bible
Then I will go to the altar of God, to the God who gives me ecstatic joy, so that I express my thanks to you, O God, my God, with a harp.

New Heart English Bible
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my exceeding joy. I will praise you on the harp, God, my God.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my exceeding joy: yes, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.

World English Bible
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my exceeding joy. I will praise you on the harp, God, my God.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And I go to the altar of God, "" To God, the joy of my rejoicing. And I thank You with a harp, O God, my God.

Young's Literal Translation
And I go in unto the altar of God, Unto God, the joy of my rejoicing. And I thank Thee with a harp, O God, my God.

Smith's Literal Translation
I will come to the altar of God, to God the gladness of my joy: and I will praise thee upon the harp, O God, my God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I will go in to the altar of God : to God who giveth joy to my youth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I will enter, up to the altar of God, to God who enlivens my youthfulness. To you, O God, my God, I will confess upon a stringed instrument.

New American Bible
Why are you downcast, my soul? Why do you groan within me? Wait for God, for I shall again praise him, my savior and my God.

New Revised Standard Version
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then will I go before the altar of God, to God who makes me joyful with the joy of youth; yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God, my God.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I shall come to the altar of God, and to God who gladdens my youth. I shall praise you on the harp, oh, God, my God.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God, my exceeding joy; And praise Thee upon the harp, O God, my God.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I will go in to the altar of God, to God who gladdens my youth: I will give thanks to thee on the harp, O God, my God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Send Out Your Light
3Send out Your light and Your truth; let them lead me. Let them bring me to Your holy mountain, and to the place where You dwell. 4Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my greatest joy. I will praise You with the harp, O God, my God. 5Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.…

Cross References
Psalm 42:2
My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God’s presence?

Psalm 84:2
My soul longs, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

Psalm 16:11
You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

Psalm 27:6
Then my head will be held high above my enemies around me. At His tabernacle I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.

Psalm 122:1
A song of ascents. Of David. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”

Psalm 26:6-7
I wash my hands in innocence that I may go about Your altar, O LORD, / to raise my voice in thanksgiving and declare all Your wonderful works.

Psalm 63:2-5
So I have seen You in the sanctuary and beheld Your power and glory. / Because Your loving devotion is better than life, my lips will glorify You. / So I will bless You as long as I live; in Your name I will lift my hands. ...

Psalm 36:8
They feast on the abundance of Your house, and You give them drink from Your river of delights.

Psalm 65:4
Blessed is the one You choose and bring near to dwell in Your courts! We are filled with the goodness of Your house, the holiness of Your temple.

Psalm 100:4
Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and bless His name.

Isaiah 35:10
So the redeemed of the LORD will return and enter Zion with singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee.

Isaiah 51:11
So the redeemed of the LORD will return and enter Zion with singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee.

Isaiah 61:3
to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

Isaiah 61:10
I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

2 Samuel 6:14
And David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD,


Treasury of Scripture

Then will I go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy: yes, on the harp will I praise you, O God my God.

Then

Psalm 66:13-15
I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows, …

Psalm 116:12-19
What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? …

my exceeding joy [heb.

Psalm 71:23
My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.

Isaiah 61:10
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

Habakkuk 3:17,18
Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: …

upon

Psalm 57:8
Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.

Psalm 71:22
I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.

Psalm 81:2
Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.

O God

Psalm 42:6
O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.

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Altar Delight Exceeding Glad Gladness Harp Instrument Joy Lyre Music Praise Rejoicing Thank
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Psalm 43
1. David, praying to be restored to the temple, promises to serve God joyfully
5. He encourages his soul to trust in God














Then I will go
This phrase signifies a deliberate and intentional action. The psalmist expresses a resolve to move towards a specific destination. In the Hebrew context, the verb "go" (אָבוֹא, 'avo) implies a journey or pilgrimage, often associated with worship and devotion. This reflects the psalmist's deep yearning to draw closer to God, emphasizing the importance of intentionality in one's spiritual journey.

to the altar of God
The "altar of God" is a significant symbol in the Old Testament, representing a place of sacrifice, worship, and communion with God. The Hebrew word for altar (מִזְבֵּחַ, mizbeach) is derived from a root meaning "to slaughter," highlighting the sacrificial system central to Israelite worship. Historically, the altar was the focal point of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, where offerings were made to atone for sin and express devotion. This phrase underscores the psalmist's desire to engage in authentic worship and seek reconciliation with God.

to God, my greatest joy
Here, the psalmist identifies God as the source of his ultimate joy and delight. The Hebrew word for joy (שִׂמְחָה, simchah) conveys a sense of gladness and exultation. This expression of personal relationship and affection for God highlights the intimate connection between the believer and the Divine. It reflects a deep-seated conviction that true happiness and fulfillment are found in God's presence, surpassing all earthly pleasures.

I will praise You
The act of praising God is central to the psalmist's response to divine grace and presence. The Hebrew verb for praise (אוֹדֶךָ, odeka) suggests a public declaration of God's greatness and goodness. This phrase indicates a commitment to worship and glorify God, acknowledging His sovereignty and benevolence. It serves as a reminder of the believer's duty to honor God through words and actions, fostering a spirit of gratitude and reverence.

with the harp
The harp (כִּנּוֹר, kinnor) was a stringed instrument commonly used in ancient Israelite worship. Its inclusion in this verse signifies the use of music as a means of expressing devotion and enhancing the worship experience. Historically, the harp was associated with joy and celebration, often played during religious ceremonies and festivals. This phrase highlights the role of music in worship, serving as a powerful tool for conveying emotion and facilitating a deeper connection with God.

O God, my God
The repetition of "God" (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim) emphasizes the personal and covenantal relationship between the psalmist and the Divine. The use of "my God" signifies ownership and intimacy, reflecting a profound sense of belonging and trust. This phrase underscores the psalmist's reliance on God as his protector, provider, and source of strength. It serves as a declaration of faith and allegiance, affirming the centrality of God in the believer's life.

(4) God my God.--An expression used in this collection instead of the more usual "Jehovah my God." (Comp. Psalm 45:7, and for its import see General Introduction, and Psalm 50:7, Note.)

Verse 4. - Then will I go unto the altar Of God. As the special place where thanksgiving ought to be made, and sacrifice offered (see 2 Samuel 6:17; 1 Chronicles 16:1). Unto God my exceeding Joy; literally, unto God the gladness of my exultation. Yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God. The psalmist has before him some such scene as that depicted in 2 Samuel 6. and 1 Chronicles 15:25-29, where, amid shouts and singing and dancing, and "with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, with psalteries and harps," a joyful procession approached the tabernacle, David himself taking part in it.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then I will go
וְאָב֤וֹאָה ׀ (wə·’ā·ḇō·w·’āh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the altar
מִזְבַּ֬ח (miz·baḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4196: An altar

of God,
אֱלֹהִ֗ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

God,
אֵל֮ (’êl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 410: Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty

my greatest joy.
שִׂמְחַ֪ת (śim·ḥaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8057: Blithesomeness, glee

I will praise
וְאוֹדְךָ֥ (wə·’ō·wḏ·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3034: To throw, at, away, to revere, worship, to bemoan

You with the harp,
בְכִנּ֗וֹר (ḇə·ḵin·nō·wr)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3658: A harp

O God,
אֱלֹהִ֥ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

my God.
אֱלֹהָֽי׃ (’ĕ·lō·hāy)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


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OT Poetry: Psalm 43:4 Then I will go to the altar (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 43:3
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