Psalm 43 – Hope in God

Psalm 43 continues from Psalm 42. Hence they share the same theme, i.e. putting hope in God. Beginning in Psalm 42, David expressed his yearning for God and how he wished he could enter the temple, and worship God as freely as he had in the past. Remember he was now fleeing from his son Absalom, and was away from Jerusalem and the temple. Then in dejection he lamented before God and began to talk to himself, reminding himself to focus on God.  

In Psalm 43 we are in the final stanza of his song. This is where he now expressed his sure confidence in God. The circumstances that David faced remained unchanged, but in his perplexity he turned to God in joyful confidence. In his prayer he pleaded for God to vindicate him. This is a request for God to make right the wrong. The nation had now deflected to join his son, Absalom. Remember they were once his beloved nation and his subjects. At the deceit of Absalom, under the counsel of Ahithophel, they rebelled against him. So he asked for God to restore the right that was his.

In verses 3-4, we see that as he petitioned, he also revealed his inner desire. He wished for God to guide and lead him with His light and truth. His desire was to be found in God’s holy presence again. His mind was drawn to the prospect of returning to Jerusalem and the temple, and to the Holy presence of God. Here he anticipated going before God and rejoiced at the altar of His presence, singing and praising Him again. In the concluding verses, David once again returned to his self-talk to encourage himself. He refused to despair and was in fact telling himself not to entertain negative thoughts and be troubled by them. He was telling himself to remember God and His faithfulness instead, as that would ensure hopefulness.

Regardless of what struggles we may be in, let’s learn from David. Let’s never forget the faithfulness of God. Allow this Psalm to be a reminder that we must always factor God into our circumstances. Be assured of His light and truth that will also guide and lead us. Seek godly counsel but remember not to entertain advice that could be well meaning, but unaligned with God’s Word. Remain discerning in all circumstances, but remember to give thanks in all circumstances!