Psalms 43 — with JFB Commentary
The King James text with the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary (1871, public domain) directly beneath the verses it explains. Verses without a JFB note stand alone.
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1Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.
PSALM 43
Psa 43:1-5. Excepting the recurrence of the refrain, there is no good reason to suppose this a part of the preceding, though the scope is the same. It has always been placed separate.
1. Judge--or, "vindicate" (Psa 10:18).
plead, &c.--(Psa 35:1).
ungodly--neither in character or condition objects of God's favor (compare Psa 4:3).
2For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
2. God of my strength--by covenant relation my stronghold (Psa 18:1).
cast me off--in scorn.
because--or, "in," that is, in such circumstances of oppression.
3O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
3. light--as in Psa 27:1.
truth--or, "faithfulness" (Psa 25:5), manifest it by fulfilling promises. Light and truth are personified as messengers who will bring him to the privileged place of worship.
tabernacles--plural, in allusion to the various courts.
4Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.
4. the altar--as the chief place of worship. The mention of the harp suggests the prominence of praise in his offering.
5Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.