In Psalm 43 we have the third (and final) stanza in this “matched set” of psalms. We see the psalmist coming to a good conclusion.
It ends with the same “refrain” we have noted in 42:5 and 11. Yet there is a resilience in this stanza that was lacking in the previous ones. There is the evidence of a growing reliance, a rising out of the depths.
It is seen in the two pleas that the psalmist makes in verses 1-2 and 3-4. These are the first substantive pleas that are made in these psalms! God has been personally addressed in the previous stanzas (42:1, 6-7), the psalmist’s despairing condition and struggling confidence has been declared, but no petition has been made! Now he finally seeks from God.
“Deliver me from the oppressor!”
He has gained strength in the storm. It is heard in his pleas, in which his faith makes its earnest application for help. “Vindicate me, O God . . . O deliver me . . . For you are the God of my strength . . .” It is not without struggle, as we see in verse 2. But here, even though the question of verse 2 is not much different from that of 42:9, the tone of it is. He will “present” his case. “For You are the God of my strength [my guardian-God], why have You rejected me?” Though the perplexity still remains, it lies buried between his ardent pleas, and now is buttressed with a pointed, yet humble, address. He sets before the LORD his relation to Him and the treatment he has received.
“Lead me to You!”
I love where the psalmist goes. “Deliver me from my enemies . . . Deliver me to You!” What he has been longing for he now pleads for with focused desire. He seeks the LORD’s favor. See what he wants: light and truth. Divine favor and divine faithfulness. They will lead him. They will be the vehicles of mercy and restoration. We can see here that is it not the altar–the physical symbol–which he desires, but God Himself, whom he calls “my exceeding joy,” “the gladness of my joy,” “my jubilee-joy.” “Bring me out of this darkness and distance. . . Save me so that I can utterly enjoy You!”
But see how his faith has enlarged! In 42:4 he says, in reflection, “I used to go . . . the house of God.” Now, in verse 4, in anticipation, he says, “I will go . . .”!
Rejoicing confidence now directs the final self-communication. Having prayed to God he speaks one more time to himself, his soul, “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, the help of my countenance, and my God” (v. 5). Outwardly nothing has changed. The final self-challenge issues with the same terms as it has sounded before. But there is a note of finality about it. He has persisted with both his God and with his own soul. He is sweeping away the remaining remnants of doubt and discouragement.
He has not let up. He has not allowed his soul to sink unchallenged and uncontested. A relentless redirecting of our hearts back to Him who is the God of our lives, who is our Rock, who commands His lovingkindness in the day and brings His songs in the night.
In the depths there is only one place to go. Hope in God, in God alone. Discipline your mind and direct your will to look and lean and look and lean and look and lean on Him!
Press on in the hope of Him will by no means disappoint those who wait for Him!
