Reflections on Psalms 43

 Psalms 43(Contemporary English Version)

1. Show that I am right, God! Defend me against everyone who doesn't know you; rescue me from each of those deceitful liars.
2. I run to you for protection. Why have you turned me away? Why must enemies mistreat me and make me sad?
3. Send your light and your truth to guide me. Let them lead me to your house on your sacred mountain.
4. Then I will worship at your altar because you make me joyful. You are my God, and I will praise you. Yes, I will praise you as I play my harp.
5. Why am I discouraged? Why am I restless? I trust you! And I will praise you again because you help me, and you are my God.

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If there is no God, to whom do we plead our cause when life is unfair? To whom do we take our complaint? If there is no God, who is responsible? But the psalmist believed there is a God and took his plea to Him, asking Him to "Vindicate me, God, and defend my cause against an ungodly nation." (43:1) Though the ungodly nation in question was responsible for the oppression the psalmist was experiencing, he felt it was happening because God was allowing it and he asked, "Why have You rejected me?" (43:2) It was God who was his refuge, so why was God allowing this to continue?

But the psalmist's tone took a turn in verse 3 and he asked, not for deliverance from the oppression, but for God to "Send Your light and Your truth" to lead him. He wanted God's light and truth to lead him to Jerusalem and to God's "dwelling place," the tabernacle. There he could take refuge in God and worship Him. When he focused on his troubles, as in verses 1 and 2, he was overwhelmed by them. But when he turned his attention to God who was his "greatest joy," (43:4) he asked, "Why am I so depressed?" (43:5)

With a new perspective he confidently stated, "Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God." (43:5)