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Psalm 43:1
Vindicate me, God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation. Oh, deliver me from deceitful and wicked men.
1Vindicate me, God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation. Oh, deliver me from deceitful and wicked men.
2For you are the God of my strength. Why have you rejected me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
3Oh, send out your light and your truth. Let them lead me. Let them bring me to your holy hill, to your tents.
Notice
“Vindicate me” opens a plea for God to take up a cause, expressing the longing to be heard and rescued when deceit has the upper hand.
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Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 35:1By David. Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me. Fight against those who fight against me.Both prayers ask God to intervene against people who oppose the speaker.
2 Chronicles 20:12Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that comes against us. We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”Both prayers appeal to God for judgment in the face of a threatening group.
1 Samuel 24:12May the LORD judge between me and you, and may the LORD avenge me of you; but my hand will not be on you.Both appeal to God for judgment against an adversary; Samuel also records a refusal to strike back.
Psalm 7:8The LORD administers judgment to the peoples. Judge me, LORD, according to my righteousness, and to my integrity that is in me.Both address God as judge, asking him to judge the speaker’s cause.
Psalm 26:1By David. Judge me, LORD, for I have walked in my integrity. I have trusted also in the LORD without wavering.Both ask God for judgment on the speaker’s behalf; Psalm 26 also states the speaker’s integrity and trust.
1 Samuel 24:15May the LORD therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and you, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of your hand.”Both ask God to plead the speaker’s cause and deliver the speaker from an adversary.
Psalm 31:1For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. In you, LORD, I take refuge. Let me never be disappointed. Deliver me in your righteousness.Both turn to God for deliverance, with Psalm 31 naming his righteousness as the basis of its plea.
Genesis 30:6Rachel said, “God has judged me, and has also heard my voice, and has given me a son.” Therefore she called his name Dan.Both speak of God judging a personal cause, though Rachel describes an answer and the psalm asks for help.
Proverbs 22:23for the LORD will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.Both speak of God pleading a cause against wrongdoers; Proverbs also names a lethal judgment against those who plunder.
Jeremiah 50:34Their Redeemer is strong. The LORD of Armies is his name. He will thoroughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the earth, and disquiet the …Both describe God pleading a cause, with the psalm requesting his help and Jeremiah declaring that he will act.
Lamentations 3:59LORD, you have seen my wrong. Judge my cause.Both bring a personal cause before God and ask him to judge it.
Micah 7:9I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my case and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the …Both look to God to plead a case and bring judgment, though Micah also confesses sin against him.
Where this verse fits
Injustice and anger. work conflict. church hurt.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
Prayer for justice can name the wrong without softening it. This plea speaks of deceit and wickedness, and asks God to take up the cause and deliver.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).