Psalms 43

Chapter Summary

Psalms 43 is a short but powerful chapter that expresses the psalmist's deep longing for God's presence and deliverance. The chapter begins with a plea for God to vindicate the psalmist and judge him rightly, and to deliver him from his enemies (Psalms 43:1). The psalmist then expresses his sorrow and frustration at being cast out and oppressed by his enemies, and at being separated from God's presence (Psalms 43:2). Despite this, the psalmist affirms his trust in God and his desire to be led to God's holy hill, where he can worship and dwell in God's presence (Psalms 43:3-4). The chapter concludes with a expression of hope and confidence in God's deliverance, and a call to praise and worship God (Psalms 43:5). Throughout the chapter, the psalmist's focus is on God's presence and his desire to be with Him, and he expresses his trust and confidence in God's power and goodness.

Context for the Chapter

Psalms 43 is part of a collection of psalms that express the psalmist's longing for God's presence and deliverance. The chapter is likely a continuation of Psalms 42, and it expresses the psalmist's deep desire to be led to God's holy hill and to dwell in His presence. The chapter is also part of the larger biblical narrative, which expresses God's desire to be with His people and to dwell in their midst.

Heart Application

This chapter calls us to seek God's presence and to trust in His power and goodness to deliver us and bring us to a place of worship and communion with Him. We are to seek God's guidance and illumination, and we are to trust in His faithfulness and reliability to lead us and bring us to His holy mountain.

What Does This Chapter Mean?

Psalms 43 is a chapter that expresses the psalmist's deep longing for God's presence and deliverance. The psalmist is seeking God's guidance and illumination, and he is trusting in God's power and goodness to deliver him and bring him to a place of worship and communion with Him. We can learn from the psalmist's example and seek God's presence in our own lives, trusting in His power and goodness to deliver us and bring us to a place of worship and communion with Him. As the psalmist says, "Send out Your light and Your truth; let them lead me. Let them bring me to Your holy mountain, to Your dwelling place" (Psalms 43:3).

Voices from the Church

“The psalmist's cry for God's presence is a cry that is echoed in the hearts of all believers. We are all seeking to be with God, and to dwell in His holy hill.”

— Charles Spurgeon

“The psalmist's trust in God is a trust that is rooted in God's power and goodness. We are to trust in God's faithfulness and reliability, and we are to seek His guidance and illumination.”

— John Calvin

Outline for Preaching

1. Introduction (Psalms 43:1) — The psalmist begins by expressing his desire for God to vindicate him and judge him rightly, and to deliver him from his enemies.
2. The psalmist's lament (Psalms 43:2) — The psalmist expresses his sorrow and frustration at being cast out and oppressed by his enemies, and at being separated from God's presence.
3. The psalmist's prayer for guidance (Psalms 43:3-4) — The psalmist prays for God to send out His light and truth, and to lead him to God's holy mountain, where he can worship and dwell in God's presence.
4. The psalmist's expression of hope and confidence (Psalms 43:5) — The psalmist expresses his hope and confidence in God's deliverance, and he calls on God to send out His light and truth to lead him and bring him to His holy mountain.
5. Conclusion — The psalmist concludes by reaffirming his trust in God and his desire to be with Him, and he calls on God to deliver him and bring him to a place of worship and communion with Him.

Core Doctrines

The doctrine of God's presence

This chapter teaches us about the importance of seeking God's presence and dwelling in His holy hill. We are to seek God's guidance and illumination, and we are to trust in His power and goodness to deliver us and bring us to a place of worship and communion with Him.

The doctrine of trust in God

The psalmist's trust in God is a trust that is rooted in God's power and goodness. We are to trust in God's faithfulness and reliability, and we are to seek His guidance and illumination.

The doctrine of salvation

This chapter points to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of the psalmist's longing for God's presence and deliverance. In Christ, we have the light and truth that the psalmist sought, and we are brought to God's holy hill through faith in Him.

The doctrine of worship

The psalmist's desire to be led to God's holy mountain and to dwell in His presence is a desire to worship and commune with God. We are to seek God's presence and to worship Him, and we are to trust in His power and goodness to deliver us and bring us to a place of worship and communion with Him.

Lessons from Psalms 43

1. The importance of seeking God's presence — This chapter teaches us about the importance of seeking God's presence and dwelling in His holy hill. We are to seek God's guidance and illumination, and we are to trust in His power and goodness to deliver us and bring us to a place of worship and communion with Him.
2. The power of trust in God — The psalmist's trust in God is a trust that is rooted in God's power and goodness. We are to trust in God's faithfulness and reliability, and we are to seek His guidance and illumination.
3. The significance of worship and communion with God — The psalmist's desire to be led to God's holy mountain and to dwell in His presence is a desire to worship and commune with God. We are to seek God's presence and to worship Him, and we are to trust in His power and goodness to deliver us and bring us to a place of worship and communion with Him.
4. The relationship between trust and hope — The psalmist's expression of hope and confidence in God's deliverance is rooted in his trust in God. We are to trust in God's power and goodness, and we are to express our hope and confidence in His deliverance.
5. The ultimate fulfillment of our longing for God's presence — This chapter points to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of the psalmist's longing for God's presence and deliverance. In Christ, we have the light and truth that the psalmist sought, and we are brought to God's holy hill through faith in Him.

Themes from Psalms 43

1. The theme of God's presence — This chapter teaches us about the importance of seeking God's presence and dwelling in His holy hill. We are to seek God's guidance and illumination, and we are to trust in His power and goodness to deliver us and bring us to a place of worship and communion with Him.
2. The theme of trust in God — The psalmist's trust in God is a trust that is rooted in God's power and goodness. We are to trust in God's faithfulness and reliability, and we are to seek His guidance and illumination.
3. The theme of worship and communion with God — The psalmist's desire to be led to God's holy mountain and to dwell in His presence is a desire to worship and commune with God. We are to seek God's presence and to worship Him, and we are to trust in His power and goodness to deliver us and bring us to a place of worship and communion with Him.
4. The theme of salvation — This chapter points to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of the psalmist's longing for God's presence and deliverance. In Christ, we have the light and truth that the psalmist sought, and we are brought to God's holy hill through faith in Him.
5. The theme of hope and confidence in God — The psalmist's expression of hope and confidence in God's deliverance is rooted in his trust in God. We are to trust in God's power and goodness, and we are to express our hope and confidence in His deliverance.

Questions for Meditation

1. What is the psalmist's primary concern in this chapter, and how does he express it?
2. How does the psalmist's trust in God relate to his desire to be led to God's holy mountain and to dwell in His presence?
3. What does the psalmist mean by "God's light and truth", and how does he seek them?
4. How does the psalmist's expression of hope and confidence in God's deliverance relate to his trust in God?
5. What can we learn from the psalmist's example about seeking God's presence and trusting in His power and goodness?

Detailed Chapter Outline

Frequently Asked Questions

Top Cross References

Sermons on Psalms 43

	Sermon	Description
	Do You Really Trust God by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the speaker begins by praying for a quickening of the body, spirit, and mind to deliver the word of God effectively. He emphasizes the importance of surrendering to
	Light and Truth by Zac Poonen	In this video, the speaker discusses the connection between light, truth, and love in relation to walking in the light. The Psalmist prayed for God to send out His light and truth
	(Through the Bible) Psalms 41-46 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, the speaker addresses the deep spiritual thirst that people have and the various ways they try to satisfy it. They observe that many individuals seek fulfillment th
	Adam and Eve's Impact on Marriage by Raymond C. Ortlund Jr.	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the significance of the union between a man and a woman in marriage. He refers to the biblical story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, hi
	Truths From Israel's History, Part 2 - Gilgal by Ed Miller	In this sermon, the speaker focuses on four stories from the Bible: the crossing of the Jordan River, the setting up of the base camp at Gilgal, the taking of Jericho, and the defe
	Prayer in the Time of Trouble by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith addresses the issue of seeking righteous judgment from God in the face of an ungodly nation. He begins by acknowledging the sad reality of a nati
	Hope Thou in God by Richard Burson	In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story about a little girl who was crying and afraid until her mother comforted her. The speaker then relates this to the biblical stor
	The Tabernacle of God With Us by Joshua Daniel	This sermon emphasizes the importance of God's presence in our lives, highlighting the need for humility, truth, and righteousness. It discusses the consequences of breaking God's
	Speaking Greater Things to Others - Nathanael's Epiphany by Michael Flowers	In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the encounter between Jesus and Nathaniel. The speaker emphasizes the importance of seeking and experiencing the light of God through Jesus
	Exultant Joy by Joy Dawson	Joy Dawson emphasizes the significance of exultant joy in the life of a Christian, highlighting that true joy comes from knowing God intimately and fulfilling His conditions for jo

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Psalms 43

Matthew Henry's commentary on Psalms 43 emphasizes the psalmist's deep longing for God's presence and deliverance. Henry notes that the psalmist is seeking God's guidance and illumination, and he is trusting in God's power and goodness to deliver him and bring him to a place of worship and communion with Him. Henry also emphasizes the importance of trust in God, and he notes that the psalmist's trust is rooted in God's faithfulness and reliability. Henry concludes by emphasizing the ultimate fulfillment of the psalmist's longing for God's presence in Jesus Christ, who is the light and truth of the world. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?