Psalm 43 (Listen)
43:1 Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause
against an ungodly people,
from the deceitful and unjust man
deliver me!
2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge;
why have you rejected me?
Why do I go about mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?
3 Send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling!
4 Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy,
and I will praise you with the lyre,
O God, my God.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.
Devotional:
Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God (Psalm 43:5 CSB).
This same line from Psalm 42 is repeated at the end of this short Psalm, and it is repeated for a reason. Sometimes people can disappoint or turn against us, and sometimes God seems far away. We often think of the gospel as something we need to share with other people, and while that is true, it is often something we need to preach to ourselves. If you feel lost in darkness, ask God to send you His light. Preach the good news of Jesus Christ to yourself daily until hope in God becomes the confidence to combat a downcast soul.
Pray it: Father, thank you for being worthy of my trust and praise because you prove yourself consistently faithful. Help me remember that you rescue rather than reject me and to live confidently in light of that truth. Amen.
Share it: Share a verse or thought from this passage with someone today.