Psalms 43 A Prayer for Vindication

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

¹Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. ²For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? ³O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. ⁴Then 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. ⁵Why 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. Psalms 43:1-5 · KJV

1

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).

2

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.

3

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.

4

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