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Psalms 43

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1Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; deliver me from deceitful and unjust men.

2For You are the God of my refuge. Why have You rejected me? Why must I walk in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression?

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.

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Matthew Henry Concise Commentary

Pastoral and devotional reflections focused on spiritual formation and application.

Psalms 43:1-999 Chapter 43

David endeavours to still his spirit, with hope and confidence in God. --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.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

Historical, contextual, and verse-level study notes for deeper biblical exploration.

Psalms 43:1 Excepting the recurrence of the refrain, there is no good

Judge--or, "vindicate" (Ps 10:18). plead, &c.--(Ps 35:1). ungodly--neither in character or condition objects of God's favor (compare Ps 4:3).

Psalms 43:1-5 Excepting the recurrence of the refrain, there is no good

reason to suppose this a part of the preceding, though the scope is the same. It has always been placed separate.

Psalms 43:2 Excepting the recurrence of the refrain, there is no good

God of my strength--by covenant relation my stronghold (Ps 18:1). cast me off--in scorn. because--or, "in," that is, in such circumstances of oppression.

Psalms 43:3 Excepting the recurrence of the refrain, there is no good

light--as in Ps 27:1. truth--or, "faithfulness" (Ps 25:5), manifest it by fulfilling promises. Light and truth are personified as messengers who will bring him to the privileged place of worship. tabernacles--plural, in allusion to the various courts.

Psalms 43:4 Excepting the recurrence of the refrain, there is no good

the altar--as the chief place of worship. The mention of the harp suggests the prominence of praise in his offering. PSALM 44

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Access to God in his Temple Psalm 43:3

Send 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.

Afflictions and Adversities: Prayer In Psalm 43:1–5

Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; deliver me from deceitful and unjust men. / For You are the God of my refuge. Why have You rejected me? Why must I walk in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression? / Send 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.

Countenance: Health Indicated In Psalm 43:5

Why 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.

Delight Psalm 43:3–5

Send 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. / 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. / Why 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.

Faith: Exemplified Psalm 43:5

Why 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.

God: Access To Psalm 43:2

For You are the God of my refuge. Why have You rejected me? Why must I walk in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression?

God: Judge, and his Justice Psalm 43:1

Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; deliver me from deceitful and unjust men.

God: Truth Psalm 43:3

Send 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.

Harp used in Worship Psalm 43:4

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.

Harps Psalm 43:4

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.

Praise: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Psalm 43:3, 4

Send 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. / 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.

Psalms: Afflictions Psalm 43:1

Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; deliver me from deceitful and unjust men.

Wisdom: Prayer for Spiritual Psalm 43:3

Send 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.

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