Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 43:5

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise him, [Who is] the help of my countenance, and my God." — Psalms 43:5 (ASV)

Why art thou cast down?... — See Psalms 42:5, note; Psalms 42:11, note. The sameness of this verse with Psalms 42:5 and Psalms 42:11 proves, as has already been remarked, that this psalm was composed by the same writer and with reference to the same subject as the former.

The doctrine taught is the same—that we should not be dejected or cast down in the troubles of life, but should hope in God and look forward to better times, if not in this world, certainly in the world to come.

If we are his children, we shall yet praise him; we shall acknowledge him as the health or the salvation (Hebrew) of our countenance; as one who by giving salvation diffuses joy over our countenance; as one who will manifest himself as our God.

He who has an eternity of blessedness before him—he who is to dwell forever in a world of peace and joy—he who is soon to enter an abode where there will be no sin, no sadness, no tears, no death—he who is to commence a career of glory which is never to terminate and never to change—should not be cast down—should not be overwhelmed with sorrow.