Read Psalm 43
1 Vindicate me, my God,
and plead my cause
against an unfaithful nation.
Rescue me from those who are
deceitful and wicked.
2 You are God my stronghold.
Why have you rejected me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?
3 Send 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.
4 Then 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.
5 Why, 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.
Go Deeper
In many of the psalms we have read so far, we see the author pouring out his heart to God, asking why the world is the way it is⏤looking for an answer, for hope in the darkness. Psalm 43 is no exception, and it is a perfect example of what to do when we feel oppressed and discouraged.
In this short psalm, there are four questions the Sons of Korah (the authors) ask. Reread these questions in verses 2 and 5. Sometimes Scripture asks questions that are responses to an author’s circumstances, and they are there to serve a point. These questions show us that when we are wronged, discouraged, or confused, we can express ourselves honestly to God. Christianity is not a faith where we are required to bottle up our hurt and confusion. It’s a faith where we can bring our emotions to the light.
In addition to questions and cries of lament to God, there is another response. In verses 3 and 5, the author asks for God’s light and truth (found in His Word), a path to the Holy Mountain (referring to Mount Zion in Jerusalem, where people went to collectively praise God), and a declaration that he will praise God with his harp (worshiping through song).
These desires for praise aren’t there because everything was going great for the psalmist. They aren’t there because the psalmist felt close to God. As we saw earlier, the author actually felt far from God. But the psalmist knows when we are troubled or things aren’t going well, God is our “only safe haven” (v. 2). So when we feel like we are far from God, the best thing to do is express that to God and sing His praise, just like the psalmist did here.
Questions
- This psalm ends with the same verse as Psalm 42. Is there anything you are discouraged by right now?
- Verse 2 says that God is our only safe haven. When is a time that you tried to find safety in something else?
- The author of this psalm says that he will praise God with his harp. What is your favorite way to praise God and worship Him? Go do it. Right now.
Pray This
If you feel lost and discouraged, pray this: “God, I feel confused and overwhelmed with my circumstances right now. I don’t know how You are trying to work in my life, but I know that You are my only safe haven. Help me to turn toward You and sprint to You instead of turning away. Amen.”
3 responses to “Psalm 43”
“How wonderful, how glorious, how secure is the gospel! Those who are in Christ Jesus are as secure as the love of God, the merit, power, and intercession of Christ can make them. They are hedged around with mercy. They are enclosed in the arms of everlasting love.”
(Charles Hodge)
When we feel as this Psalm talks about, rejected or abandoned, hopefully you, God, a person that you express yourself to, will send you back to God’s word. The truth is you are not rejected or abandoned. You are treasured, loved, and wanted. O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your dwelling places. Psalms 43:3 NASB
A beautiful simple prayer
When I am tempted to believe that You do not love me… send out your light and truth!
When I seek to find my identity in what others think and say about me… send out your light and truth!
When I can’t get over my past sin that You’ve forgiven and I feel I cannot please You… send out Your light and truth!
God thank You that this is truth. Thank You that You sent Your only begotten Son to redeem me. Thank You that I am secure, without a doubt in the love You have for me. Thank You for the merit, power and intercession Christ makes for me. Thank You for hedging me about with mercy. I love the visual of being enclosed in the arms of everlasting love. God thank You for today, these minutes of this day. God thank You for breath in my lungs so I can pour out my praise to You only. God I am thankful for how You provide, bless, and protect my family daily. I give You honor and glory for this day, thesee minutes in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!
5 Why, 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.
This same verse ends both Psalm 42 and 43. Fascinating to being a conversation with your soul! I’m going to try that!
I’m so grateful for the living, active, enduring word of God. It reaches to our highest highs and lowest lows. These ancient psalms are as relevant today as they were then reminding and grounding us to the unshakable truth that our God reigns above all the chaos of this world.
My favorite way to praise him is through the Worship Initiative. Here’s today’s link:
https://sing.theworshipinitiative.com/series/daily/2026-05-01?ref_user=7ce0df4c-40d7-49db-ae88-d1e1098a5ca0