THE GOD OF MY STRENGTH
PSALM 43:1-5
Introduction:
This psalm seems to be an appendix of the last psalm and consequently it needs no title.
John Gill writes: “Some take this and the preceding to be but one psalm, and this might be written with that on account of the rebellion of his son Absalom.”
David complains of his enemies, and asks the privilege of communion with God as his surest deliverance from them.
I. THE LORD IS OUR DELIVER v. 1
A. He JUDGES according to TRUTH, v. 1; Romans 2:2, “But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.”
B. He PLEADS our cause, v. 1; Psalms 35:27, “Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.”
C. He fights as a WARRIOR for our cause, Exodus 15:3, “The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.”
II. THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH v. 2
A. He is our ROCK, v. 2; Deuteronomy 32:18, “Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.”
1. He is our DWELLING PLACE, Deuteronomy 33:27, “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.”
2. He is our REFUGE in time of TROUBLE, Psalms 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
B. He is our STRENGTH, v. 2; Psalms 28:7, “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.”
1. Spiritual strength, “my heart trusted in Him,” Psalms 22:4, “Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.”
2. Spiritual support, “I am helped,” Psalms 118:15, “The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.”
C. The language of unbelief, “why dost thou cast me off?” v. 2; Psalms 94:14, “For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.”
1. David experiences discouragement, Psalms 71:9, “Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.”
2. The he is encouraged by God’s promise, Psalms 94:14, “For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.”
3. Later he gave good counsel to his son Solomon, 1 Chronicles 28:9, “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.”
III. THE LORD IS OUR LIGHT vv. 3-4
A. Let your LIGHT lead me, v. 3; Psalms 27:1, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
B. Let your TRUTH [God’s FAITHFULNESS] lead me, Psalms 25:5, “Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.”
C. They will lead me into your presence, THE PLACE OF WORSHIP, the Holy of Holies, vv. 3-4; Hebrews 9:2, “For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. 3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;”
1. The Lord’s leading ALWAYS brings us to His place of worship, His House, v. 3; Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
2. His leading ALWAYS brings us before His throne in prayer, v. 4; Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
D. They will lead us to rejoice and praise our God, v. 4; Hebrews 13:15, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”
CONCLUSION:
David concludes this psalm with two questions, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me?” He answers his own questions. “Hope in God.”
Charles Spurgeon comments: “There is need of patience, but there is ground for hope. The Lord cannot but avenge his own elect. The heavenly Father will not stand by and see his children trampled on forever.”