Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 43
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 43
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 43
"Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: Oh deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. For thou art the God of my strength; why hast thou cast me off? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? Oh send out thy light and thy truth; let them lead me: Let them bring me unto thy holy hill, And to thy tabernacles. Then will I go unto the altar of God, Unto God my exceeding joy; And upon the harp will I praise thee, O God, my God. 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 43:1-5 (ASV)
Regarding the dispute God had with David for sin, he prays, Enter not into judgment with me, if You do so I will be condemned; but regarding the dispute his enemies had with him, he prays, Lord, judge me, and in Your providence appear on my behalf. If we cannot comfort ourselves in God, we may rely on Him and may have spiritual supports when we lack spiritual delights. He never cast off any who trusted in Him, whatever fears they may have had about their own state.
We need to desire nothing more to make us happy than the good that flows from God's favor and is included in His promise. Those whom God leads, He leads to His holy hill. Therefore, those who claim to be led by the Spirit and yet turn their backs upon ordinance deceive themselves. We are still to pray for the Spirit of light and truth, who compensates for the lack of Christ's bodily presence, to guide us in the way to heaven.
Whatever we rejoice or triumph in, the Lord must be the joy of it. David turns to God as His never-failing hope. Let us pray earnestly that the Lord would send forth the truth of His word and the light of His Spirit to guide us into the way of holiness, peace, and salvation. The desire of the Christian, like that of the prophet in distress, is to be saved from sin as well as sorrow; to be taught in the way of righteousness by the light of heavenly wisdom, shining in Jesus Christ, and to be led by this light and truth to the New Jerusalem.
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