Psalm 43:1-3
"Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O
deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.
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?
O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me
unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles."
Often as Christians, we find ourselves isolated. We have friends,
family, and activities that keep us very busy. However, we live among
people who are essentially of a completely different mindset. And more
often than not, we are placed in a situations where we don't have many
like-minded friends (whether it be at school or work). We rub shoulders
with many who don't have a mind renewed by the Spirit (Rom.12:2). Their
actions or attitudes may even may make us disturbed or sad. They may
even outright say nasty things about our faith or our obedience to God.
King David found himself in a somewhat similar situation. To set the
tone for the 43rd Psalm, we need to look at the previous chapter. It is
a chapter that reveals some depression in the authors heart. David did
trust in the Lord, but the persistence of his enemies was wearing him
away. Sometimes it seems that the wicked are more persistent than the
righteous. In verse Psalm 42:10, he writes "As with a sword in my bones,
mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy
God?". There is a popular saying: "sticks and stones may break my bones,
but words will never hurt me". However, that saying isn't quite true!
Words do hurt even the most valiant men of war like David! The question
"Where is thy God?" most certainly hurt David! According to chapter 42,
he was in bitter tears. His enemies were persistent in saying evil
things-the scripture says that they did it daily!
How did David respond? "Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an
ungodly nation: O Deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man." (Psalm
43:1). It has been noted that this usage of "Judge" here doesn't mean
that David wanted wrath poured on himself (which is sometimes what is
indicated by 'judgment'), but rather, it seems that he wanted an
advocate. He knew he would be vindicated by the Lord. He wanted God to
find him innocent and also deliver him from those who were ungodly.
We may not face the immediate physical danger that David experienced,
but the danger of being attacked by ungodly and unjust people is still
present! We slowly adapt the language, behavior, opinions, attitudes,
and even goals of those who are unsaved. Even in the most neutral
circumstances, we find ourselves bombarded by the ridicule of scoffers
(II Peter 3:3-5). While we may think we are strong, these things affect
our soul. Though Lot was a righteous man, Sodom really ruined his life.
We live in a very similar time, so we need to be extremely reliant on
God to make it through each day.
Yet, David reveals our source of strength. Progressing to verse 2, we
see that David said "the God of my strength". After this revelation,
David essentially becomes bold and says "why go I mourning because of
the oppression of the enemy?". By asking the question "why", he
essentially shows his progression of though from a somewhat doubtful and
fearful manner to a bold and confident faith in the Lord. When we turn
to God's Word, we often experience the same thing and our weakness is
turned into strength.
"O send out thy light and thy truth; let them lead me; let them bring me
unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles" (verse 3). We see that David
ask God for light and truth. Do we do that? Not only is God's Word a
"light unto our path" (Psalm 119:105), but Jesus Christ (the living
Word) is also a light that illuminates our eyes (John 8:12).
Should we stop there? I believe there is more to "O send out thy
light..". Maybe it is speculation, but perhaps David was yearning for
God to "send out thy light", namely the Messiah, Jesus Christ. This
vivid yearning and anticipation can be seen in other areas of the book
of Psalms.
Though David was living in the Old Covenant, scripture makes it clear
that the *true* Old Covenant believers (who were circumcised in their
*heart*, not just physically) partook of the full blessings of the
Christ (justification by faith, imputed and imparted righteousness) who
was to come (see Romans 1:4-8, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11, etc). The true
believers of the Old Testament didn't find true salvation in animal
sacrifices (which were only a shadow of the things to come), but rather
found their blessings when they placed faith in God and His Messiah.
Those old fathers of faith were able to trust in Christ *before* He came
to earth, so what excuse do we have to not trust Him when we are able to
look *back* at His coming to earth? Have you placed faith in Jesus as
your Lord and Saviour? If you haven't, consider your eternal destiny!
The truth will lead you to the "holy hill" and the "tabernacles" which
David makes mention of!
If Jesus is truly your Lord, you can repeat what David said "Judge me, O
God, and plead my cause" with your whole heart. Strive to be a man after
God's own heart. Where is thy God? In the heavens on His throne! If that
doesn't give a believer boldness, what can?
"Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O
deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.
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?
O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me
unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles."
Often as Christians, we find ourselves isolated. We have friends,
family, and activities that keep us very busy. However, we live among
people who are essentially of a completely different mindset. And more
often than not, we are placed in a situations where we don't have many
like-minded friends (whether it be at school or work). We rub shoulders
with many who don't have a mind renewed by the Spirit (Rom.12:2). Their
actions or attitudes may even may make us disturbed or sad. They may
even outright say nasty things about our faith or our obedience to God.
King David found himself in a somewhat similar situation. To set the
tone for the 43rd Psalm, we need to look at the previous chapter. It is
a chapter that reveals some depression in the authors heart. David did
trust in the Lord, but the persistence of his enemies was wearing him
away. Sometimes it seems that the wicked are more persistent than the
righteous. In verse Psalm 42:10, he writes "As with a sword in my bones,
mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy
God?". There is a popular saying: "sticks and stones may break my bones,
but words will never hurt me". However, that saying isn't quite true!
Words do hurt even the most valiant men of war like David! The question
"Where is thy God?" most certainly hurt David! According to chapter 42,
he was in bitter tears. His enemies were persistent in saying evil
things-the scripture says that they did it daily!
How did David respond? "Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an
ungodly nation: O Deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man." (Psalm
43:1). It has been noted that this usage of "Judge" here doesn't mean
that David wanted wrath poured on himself (which is sometimes what is
indicated by 'judgment'), but rather, it seems that he wanted an
advocate. He knew he would be vindicated by the Lord. He wanted God to
find him innocent and also deliver him from those who were ungodly.
We may not face the immediate physical danger that David experienced,
but the danger of being attacked by ungodly and unjust people is still
present! We slowly adapt the language, behavior, opinions, attitudes,
and even goals of those who are unsaved. Even in the most neutral
circumstances, we find ourselves bombarded by the ridicule of scoffers
(II Peter 3:3-5). While we may think we are strong, these things affect
our soul. Though Lot was a righteous man, Sodom really ruined his life.
We live in a very similar time, so we need to be extremely reliant on
God to make it through each day.
Yet, David reveals our source of strength. Progressing to verse 2, we
see that David said "the God of my strength". After this revelation,
David essentially becomes bold and says "why go I mourning because of
the oppression of the enemy?". By asking the question "why", he
essentially shows his progression of though from a somewhat doubtful and
fearful manner to a bold and confident faith in the Lord. When we turn
to God's Word, we often experience the same thing and our weakness is
turned into strength.
"O send out thy light and thy truth; let them lead me; let them bring me
unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles" (verse 3). We see that David
ask God for light and truth. Do we do that? Not only is God's Word a
"light unto our path" (Psalm 119:105), but Jesus Christ (the living
Word) is also a light that illuminates our eyes (John 8:12).
Should we stop there? I believe there is more to "O send out thy
light..". Maybe it is speculation, but perhaps David was yearning for
God to "send out thy light", namely the Messiah, Jesus Christ. This
vivid yearning and anticipation can be seen in other areas of the book
of Psalms.
Though David was living in the Old Covenant, scripture makes it clear
that the *true* Old Covenant believers (who were circumcised in their
*heart*, not just physically) partook of the full blessings of the
Christ (justification by faith, imputed and imparted righteousness) who
was to come (see Romans 1:4-8, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11, etc). The true
believers of the Old Testament didn't find true salvation in animal
sacrifices (which were only a shadow of the things to come), but rather
found their blessings when they placed faith in God and His Messiah.
Those old fathers of faith were able to trust in Christ *before* He came
to earth, so what excuse do we have to not trust Him when we are able to
look *back* at His coming to earth? Have you placed faith in Jesus as
your Lord and Saviour? If you haven't, consider your eternal destiny!
The truth will lead you to the "holy hill" and the "tabernacles" which
David makes mention of!
If Jesus is truly your Lord, you can repeat what David said "Judge me, O
God, and plead my cause" with your whole heart. Strive to be a man after
God's own heart. Where is thy God? In the heavens on His throne! If that
doesn't give a believer boldness, what can?
