The psalmist appeals to God as his protector, in whom I take refuge (see the same expression in 2.12; 18.2; 31.4), and asks, why hast thou cast me off? (see same verb in 44.9, 23). To cast … off means to reject, repel, abandon, discard. Again, this is a complaint, not a request for information.

The psalmist then repeats the question of 42.9.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .