Psalms Chapter 43
1 Vindicate me, God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation. Oh, deliver me from deceitful and wicked men.
2 For you are the God of my strength. Why have you rejected me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
3 Oh, send out your light and your truth. Let them lead me. Let them bring me to your holy hill, to your tents.
4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my exceeding joy. I will praise you on the harp, God, my God.
5 Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him: my Saviour, my helper, and my God.
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Psalms Chapter 43 Guide
This psalm is either a part of the previous one or is closely connected with it. It breathes the same note of confidence, ending with the same words practically as the two parts of the former. It reaches a higher plane in that it refers only to sorrow and mourning in order to protest against them in the light of the certainty of God's deliverance. From prayer for that deliverance, which he has twice in the previous psalm declared to be certain, he passes to affirmation of how, following the leading of God's light and truth, he will go up to worship. Notice the procession to praise as he describes it. To the hill, to the Tabernacles, to the altar, and then the act of praise. Not yet has the answer come. The darkness and the mystery are still about him, but the shining way is seen; and again the soul is forbidden to despair and hope is encouraged in God.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Psalms Chapter 43 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- David endeavours to still his spirit, with hope and confidence in God.
Verses 1-5
As to the quarrel God had with David for sin, he prays, Enter not into judgment with me, if Thou doest so I shall be condemned; but as to the quarrel his enemies had with him, he prays, Lord, judge me, and in thy providence appear on my behalf. If we cannot comfort ourselves in God, we may stay ourselves upon him, and may have spiritual supports, when we want spiritual delights. He never cast off any that trusted in him, whatever fears they may have had of their own state. We need desire no more to make us happy, than the good that flow from God's favour, and is included in his promise. Those whom God leads, he leads to his holy hill; those, therefore, who pretend to be led by the Spirit, and yet turn their backs upon ordinance, deceive themselves. We are still to pray for the Spirit of light and truth, who supplies the want of Christ's bodily presence, to guide us in the way to heaven. Whatever we rejoice or triumph in, the Lord must be the joy of it. David applies to God as his never-failing hope. Let us pray earnestly, that the Lord would send forth the truth of his word, and the light of his Spirit, to guide us into the way of holiness, peace, and salvation. The desire of the Christian, like that of the prophet in distress, is to be saved from sin as well as sorrow; to be taught in the way of righteousness by the light of heavenly wisdom, shining in Jesus Christ, and to be led by this light and truth to the New Jerusalem.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.