Bible Commentaries

PSALM 43

THE ARGUMENT

This Psalm seems to have been composed by the same author, and upon the same occasion with the former.

David, praying against his fierce and crafty enemies, Psalms 43:1; and to be restored to the temple, Psalms 43:2,3; promiseth to serve God joyfully, Psalms 43:4. He encourageth his soul to trust in God, Psalms 43:5.

Judge me; or, judge or give sentence for me, as this phrase is used, Psalms 26:1, and elsewhere.

Ungodly, or unmerciful, i.e. cruel or inhuman; for it is a meiosis. Nation; so he calls the company of his enemies for their great numbers, and because they were the far greatest part, and almost the whole body of the nation.

Deceitful and unjust; who covereth his wicked designs with fair and false pretences; which sort of men are hateful to thee, and to all good men.

Man; either Saul; or rather, Ahithophel or Absalom. For he speaks of the holy hill of Zion, Psalms 43:3, which was not so till after Saul’s time. Or man may be put collectively for the men of that time.

Send out, i.e. actually impart and discover them; for at present thou seemest to conceal and withhold them from me.

Thy light and thy truth, i.e. thy favour, or the light of thy countenance, and the truth of thy promises made to me; as God’s mercy and truth oft go together, as 2 Samuel 15:20 Psalms 61:7 Psalms 89:14, &c. Or this may be a figure called hendiaduo, whereby light and truth is put either for the light of God’s truth; or rather, for true light, the illumination of God’s Spirit, and the direction of providence, his gracious whereby he might be led (as it follows) in the right way, which would bring him to God’s holy hill.

Unto thy holy hill, to wit, of Zion, the place of God’s presence and worship.

To thy tabernacles, i.e. tabernacle; which he calls tabernacles, either,

1. Because there were now two tabernacles, one at Zion, where the ark was; and another at Gibeon, 1 Chronicles 16:37,39. Although he here seems to speak but of one of them, even of that which was upon God’s holy hill. Or,

2. Because of the several parts of it, the most holy, and the holy place, and the church. These indeed were in that of Gibeon, but not in that of Zion. Or rather,

3. By a mere enallage of the number, the plural for the singular; which is frequent, as in other words, so in those which belong to this matter, as tabernacles, Psalms 46:4, and sanctuaries, Leviticus 26:31 Psalms 73:17, &c.; Psalms 74:7 Jeremiah 51:51. Nay, the most holy place, though but one simple part, is by the Greeks called holies. So in other authors, we read the rivers of Nilus, of that one river; and right hands, for one right hand; and many like phrases.

Then will I go unto the altar of God, to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving for my deliverance.

My exceeding joy; the principal author and matter of all my joy and comfort.