Psalms 43
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Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.
2 For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
4 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.
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Public Domain KJV text from Wordproject.org
Psalm 43:1-5
Send Out Your Light and Your Truth
1Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause
against an ungodly people,
from the deceitful and unjust man
deliver me!
2For you are the God in whom I take refuge;
why have you rejected me?
Why do I go about mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?
3Send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling!
4Then 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.
5Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.
ESV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Psalm 43:1-5
Psalm 43
1Vindicate me, my God,
and plead my cause
against an unfaithful nation.
Rescue me from those who are
deceitful and wicked.
2You are God my stronghold.
Why have you rejected me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?
3Send me your light and your faithful care,
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy mountain,
to the place where you dwell.
4Then 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.
5Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.
NIV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Commentary
Most people can probably relate to feeling framed, misjudged, or at the very least, misunderstood. I remember in elementary school being accused of something that I did not do. To this day, I still have feelings of umbrage knowing that I did not do it. I was forced to pay to fix something that I know I didn’t break. It just wasn’t fair. The author pleads for God to vindicate him and to “plead my cause” (vs. 1). It seems that when we are in trouble that we recognize our need of divine help. The Psalmist reminds us: “Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me” (vs. 3).
The highpoint comes next: “Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight.” This is a clear reference to the sanctuary thus being in the presence of God. As Adventists this is absolutely crucial because the “sanctuary message” is at the core of our identity. Jesus is our High Priest advocating on our behalf (check out Heb. 4:14-16). No wonder the Psalmist finishes in words that have become a favorite Scripture song: “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (vs. 5).
Michael W. Campbell
Director of Archives, North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists (as of this writing)
