TUESDAY, AUGUST 14
Psalm 43:1-5
Psalm 118:5-7

“… David encouraged himself
in the LORD his God.”

O SEND OUT THY LIGHT AND THY TRUTH

On account of the similarity of the structure of this Psalm to that of Psalm 42, it has been supposed to be a fragment wrongly separated from the preceding song. We agree rather with Matthew Henry who says this Psalm was penned upon the same occasion as the former, and having no title, may be looked upon as an appendix to it.

It is observed that Psalm 43:2 is almost the same as Psalm 42:9 while Psalm 43:5 is exactly the same as Psalm 42:11. It is further observed that when Christ prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane the third time, He prayed “saying the same words” (Matt 26:44). Using two verses of Psalm 42, the author of Psalm 43, in the same mood as he composed the previous Psalm, seeks his God from another angle. The mood he is in writing Psalm 43, as in Psalm 42, is that he is depressed in spirit because of persecution from his enemy. But as a Christian will never say die, he pulls himself up to seek his God, who is his strength and the health of his countenance (Ps 43:5).

In Psalm 43:1, the author appeals to God not only as his Judge (“judge me”), but also as his Advocate (“plead my cause”) and as his Deliverer (“O deliver me”). He is let down by “an ungodly nation” (Israel apostatising) and betrayed by “the deceitful and unjust man” (is it Saul, or Absalom his son?). These are the trials of leadership, and David has triumphed over his treacherous subordinates often by encouraging himself in the Lord his God (1 Sam 30:6).

The author, in his communion with God, desires most to worship in His Tabernacle on His holy hill, at His altar, praising Him with voice and harp, where he will see His light and truth.

When you are cast down in spirit, all the more you should go to Church!

THOUGHT: (Apply Psalm 118:5-7 to your own self.)
PRAYER: May I always see Thee, Father, as the strength and health of my countenance.