Psalm 43

1. It is interesting to read Psalms 42 and 43 without stopping. It seems almost as if 43 is written as a closing chapter (or epilogue) to 42. While that is not the case, it is an interesting study.

2. This brief poem divides very well into two parts. Verses 1-4 are a prayer to God asking for His help. Verse 5 then has the psalmist speaking to his soul.

3. Verse 1 again places God as the Lawyer for the writer. Literally the verse is, “Judge me, O God, and argue my case.” In other words, the psalmist is wishing for God to both argue his case, and be the judge. This teaches us about God’s helping nature and His justice.

4. Verse 2 contains two “why” questions. The writer knew God’s protection (calling Him “the God of my strength”), but now feels as though God has rejected him. While we have mentioned this in our series so far, we often may feel the same way. We know God is there to protect us, but we still may feel alone. However, note again that the writer knows that God is there. He may have questions, but he has faith in God.

5. After asking questions, the psalmist gets the answer right! In verse 3 he asks for God’s guidance. Anytime we have questions, that is always the right answer (and attitude). God will lead us closer to Himself, where true protection is.

6. And, once we realize that, we will be joyful! (verse 4)

7. John MacArthur calls verse 5 a “pep-talk” from the psalmist to his own soul (The MacArthur Study Bible, page 768). After the beautiful words of the first 4 verses, this final verse is somewhat strange. But the psalmist, again, “gets it right.” He begins this verse by asking “why” again (two times), but ends by saying that “hope” is the answer. And that hope is in God. The same is true for us today.