Verse (Click for Chapter) 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. Berean Literal Bible And I will come to the altar of God, to God, the joy of my rejoicing; and 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! Berean Annotated Bible Then I will go to the altar of God {Elohim}, to God, my greatest joy. I will praise You with the harp, 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, 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen I will go to the altar of God, to God, my greatest joy. I will praise You with the harp, 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 VersionAnd 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. Berean Literal Bible And I will come to the altar of God, to God, the joy of my rejoicing; and I will praise you with the 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 BibleAnd I will go in to the altar of God : to God who giveth joy to my youth. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible That I may come to the altar of God, to God, my joy, my delight. Then I will praise you with the harp, O God, 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 BibleThen 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 1917Then 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 Then I will go to the altar of God, Psalm 26:6 I wash my hands in innocence that I may go about Your altar, O LORD, Psalm 118:27 The LORD is God; He has made His light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. Isaiah 56:7 I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.” to God, my greatest joy. Habakkuk 3:18 yet I will exult in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! 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 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. I will praise You with the harp, Psalm 33:2 Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to Him with ten strings. Psalm 71:22 So I will praise You with the harp for Your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to You with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. Psalm 150:3 Praise Him with the sound of the horn; praise Him with the harp and lyre. O God, my God. Psalm 63:1 A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You. My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water. Psalm 118:28 You are my God, and I will give You thanks. You are my God, and I will exalt You. Psalm 5:2 Attend to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I pray. 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 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.” 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. Jump to Previous Altar Delight Exceeding Glad Gladness Harp Instrument Joy Lyre Music Praise Rejoicing ThankJump to Next Altar Delight Exceeding Glad Gladness Harp Instrument Joy Lyre Music Praise Rejoicing ThankPsalm 43 1. David, praying to be restored to the temple, promises to serve God joyfully5. He encourages his soul to trust in God Then I will go to the altar of God The altar in ancient Israel was central to worship and sacrifice, symbolizing a place of meeting between God and His people. It was where offerings were made to atone for sin and express devotion. The psalmist's intention to go to the altar signifies a desire for reconciliation and communion with God. This reflects the broader biblical theme of seeking God's presence, as seen in the tabernacle and temple practices (Exodus 27:1-8, 1 Kings 8:22-61). The altar also foreshadows Christ's ultimate sacrifice, as He is the fulfillment of the sacrificial system (Hebrews 9:11-14). to God, my greatest joy I will praise You with the harp O God, my God Persons / Places / Events 1. The PsalmistThe author of Psalm 43, traditionally attributed to David, who expresses a deep longing for God's presence and deliverance. 2. The Altar of God A sacred place where sacrifices and offerings were made, symbolizing communion with God and His presence. 3. God Referred to as the source of the psalmist's greatest joy, emphasizing a personal and intimate relationship. 4. The Harp A musical instrument used in worship, symbolizing praise and celebration of God's goodness. 5. The Temple Although not explicitly mentioned in this verse, it is implied as the place where the altar resides, representing God's dwelling place among His people. Teaching Points The Altar as a Place of EncounterThe altar represents a place where we meet God, offering our lives as living sacrifices in worship and devotion. God as Our Greatest Joy True joy is found in a relationship with God, surpassing all earthly pleasures and circumstances. The Role of Music in Worship Music, like the harp, is a powerful tool for expressing praise and adoration to God, enhancing our worship experience. Personal Relationship with God The psalmist's use of "my God" emphasizes the importance of a personal and intimate relationship with the Creator. Longing for God's Presence Just as the psalmist longs to be at the altar, believers should cultivate a deep desire for God's presence in their daily lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Psalm 43:4?2. How can we make God our "greatest joy" in daily life? 3. What does "go to the altar of God" mean for Christians today? 4. How does Psalm 43:4 connect with worship practices in the New Testament? 5. In what ways can we offer praise to God in difficult times? 6. How can Psalm 43:4 inspire our personal prayer and worship routines? 7. How does Psalm 43:4 reflect the concept of joy in worship? 8. What historical context influenced the writing of Psalm 43:4? 9. How does Psalm 43:4 relate to the theme of divine guidance? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 43? 11. What archaeological evidence, if any, supports the psalmist’s depiction of worship in Psalm 43:4? 12. What brings true joy according to the Bible? 13. What brings true joy according to the Bible? 14. Why does Psalm 43:2 suggest God has forsaken the writer, when other passages emphasize God’s constant presence? What Does Psalm 43:4 Mean Then I will go to the altar of God- The psalmist envisions a literal approach to the sanctuary, confident that God has made a way for fellowship through sacrifice (Psalm 26:6-7; Exodus 29:42-43). - The altar is where sin is dealt with and communion is restored, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice fulfilled in Christ (Hebrews 13:10-12). - Going to the altar reflects deliberate movement toward God rather than retreat into despair, echoing Psalm 42:4, “How I would go with the multitude… to the house of God”. to God, my greatest joy - God Himself—not merely His gifts—is declared “my greatest joy.” This mirrors Psalm 16:11, “In Your presence is fullness of joy”. - Joy here is relational and personal, surpassing any earthly delight (Habakkuk 3:17-18; John 15:11). - The verse shifts the focus from circumstances (the psalmist’s earlier lament) to the unchanging character of God, inviting us to do the same. I will praise You with the harp - Worship moves from intention to expression. Instruments celebrate God’s worthiness (Psalm 33:2-3; 92:3; 150:3-5). - Using the harp highlights beauty and artistry in worship, affirming that God is honored through skillful, heartfelt music (1 Chronicles 15:16). - Praise is vocal and visible, reminding believers that gratitude must be voiced, not merely felt (Hebrews 13:15). O God, my God - The repetition intensifies intimacy: the covenant LORD is “my” God (Psalm 63:1; Isaiah 12:2). - Personal possession underscores trust; the psalmist is not abandoned but held in relationship (John 20:28; Galatians 2:20). - By ending with this declaration, the writer anchors his identity in God, not in shifting emotions. summary Psalm 43:4 portrays a journey from distress to delight. The psalmist anticipates physically approaching the altar, finding his deepest joy in God Himself, erupting in musical praise, and affirming a personal bond with “my God.” In every line, Scripture insists that true gladness is discovered not in altered circumstances but in drawing near to the living God through the means He provides. (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 goוְאָב֤וֹאָה ׀ (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 Links Psalm 43:4 NIVPsalm 43:4 NLT Psalm 43:4 ESV Psalm 43:4 NASB Psalm 43:4 KJV Psalm 43:4 BibleApps.com Psalm 43:4 Biblia Paralela Psalm 43:4 Chinese Bible Psalm 43:4 French Bible Psalm 43:4 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Psalm 43:4 Then I will go to the altar (Psalm Ps Psa.) |
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