Psalms 43

King James Version (KJV) · English

1 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.

Commentary — not Bible text

Psalms 43:1

PSALM 43

Psa 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.

1. Judge--or, "vindicate" (Psa 10:18).

plead, &c.--(Psa 35:1).

ungodly--neither in character or condition objects of God's favor (compare Psa 4:3).

Psalms 43:2

2. God of my strength--by covenant relation my stronghold (Psa 18:1).

cast me off--in scorn.

because--or, "in," that is, in such circumstances of oppression.

Psalms 43:3

3. light--as in Psa 27:1.

truth--or, "faithfulness" (Psa 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

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

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