Guided by the Spirit

This morning in the Lord’s Prayer we all prayed the words, “thy kingdom come, thy will be done.” But when we get home later on today, I’m afraid too often instead of that prayer of words, “thy will be done,” we substitute a prayer of actions, “my will be done.” In this short psalm, we see how the psalmist cries out for God to lead him. It should be our cry also.

Psalm 43 is a very short psalm, and because of its similarities with Psalm 42, some have assumed that it once was part of Psalm 42 forming one longer psalm. There even are a few manuscripts that have both psalms combined. But most of the time these psalms are separated, and it does seem unusual that they would ever be separated if they once were together.

Concerning the composition of this psalm, Barnes remarks, “It bears, however, a strong resemblance, in its general spirit and in its structure, to Psalm 42, and was, beyond doubt, composed by the same author, and in reference to the same occasion. ... The probability is that this psalm was composed by the same author, as a kind of supplement to the former psalm, or as expressing, in a slightly different form, the emotions which passed through his mind on that same occasion.”

If Psalm 43 were composed by the same author as Psalm 42, then it was written by the family of Korah, who were Levites. The “Sons of Korah” psalms must be from the time of David when they were musicians as well as gatekeepers. Before David they were only gatekeepers (1 Chronicles 9:19), and after the exile they were again only gatekeepers (Nehemiah 11:19).

Verse 1

God, defend me. Argue my case against those who don't follow you. Save me from liars and those who do evil.

The psalmist calls out for God to defend him against those who are wronging him. He realizes he needs help beyond himself. Whenever we are facing uncertain circumstances, we must be ready to ask God for help.

Brandt describes in modern terms how the psalmist must have felt:

O God,

my life is cluttered up with conflicts,

And there are times

when You seem so oblivious to it all.

The pitfalls before me, the weaknesses within me --

all this is most depressing.

I feel as if I am groping in utter darkness.

I think our problems are often the result of us wanting to do things our own way instead of God’s way. That’s when we get in trouble and feel that God has left us. It’s at those times that we need to admit that we need help and need to pray for God’s leading. But then when God helps us, we need to strive to do things according to God’s plan for our lives, and not our own plan.

My sister was always very independent. When she was about 8 years old, we lived in South Carolina. In that wet climate, there were some sink holes in the fields. In spite of Mom’s warnings, one day Mary decided to take a short cut to a friend’s house and walk through one of those fields. She got caught in one of those sink holes but was able to pull herself free. When she arrived home, she was missing a shoe and she was quite muddy, but she had learned her lesson.

In the same way, we need to learn our lessons from God. We need to allow him to lead us and instruct us. Remember, God will guide when we abide.

Verse 2

God, you are my strength. Why have you rejected me? Why am I sad and troubled by my enemies?

The psalmist admits that he is feeling helpless and abandoned by God. He asks, “why am I sad and troubled by my enemies?” He knows that he shouldn’t feel this way. So he reminds himself that God is his strength. Is God your strength? Whenever you feel overwhelmed by circumstances, it’s important to remember that God will help you and lead you through the troubles.

My Pilot

I care not if the tempest rage,

Or if the billows roar,

I care not if the surges roll

And break upon the shore;

I have a Pilot in my ship

Whom wind and wave obey,

And when He whispers, “Peace, be still!”

The storm must die away.

I care not if the sky be black

And wild the lightning flash,

I care not if the fierce winds blow,

And loud the thunders crash;

I have a Pilot in my ship

Who made the mighty sea,

Who made the thunder and the storm,

And He abides with me.

I care not if the waves wash high,

And treacherous waters roll,

O’er hidden bar and jagged rock,

Or over perilous shoal;

I have a Pilot in my ship

Who knows the trackless sea,

And He will guide me safely Home

To His Eternity!

Verse 3

Send me your light and truth to guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to where you live.

The psalmist wants God to guide him. He prays for God’s light and God’s truth. I think of this light and truth as the Spirit and the word. He wants the light of God’s Spirit to illuminate his pathway and help him find his way through dark and confusing times. And he wants the truth of God’s word to show him the way he should live his life. If you are uncertain of the path ahead, God will send you light and truth to guide you too. But the psalmist does not only want to be guided; he also wants to be lead into God’s presence.

When we allow God to direct our life, it is amazing how he also leads us into his holy presence. If you want to dwell on God’s holy mountain, then be like the psalmist and follow the light of God’s Spirit and be guided by the truth of God’s word. God does not leave us alone, but will help us find our way.

Verse 4

Then I will go to the altar of God, to God who is my joy and happiness. I will praise you with a harp, God, my God.

The psalmist tells us two more things he is going to do -- go to the altar and praise with the harp. When we need guidance and direction, it is good to go to the altar of God. Time spent in prayer and communion with God will help us to see things more clearly and help us to discover God’s leading. The psalmist also said that he would praise God with the harp. When you feel overwhelmed and confused, sometimes it’s good to simply spend time worshipping and praising God -- sing a hymn, listen to a praise song, or play a musical instrument with your praise. Music helps the soul to look up to God.

If you need guidance, follow the example of this psalmist -- go to God’s altar and praise him with music. You will find that the dark clouds will p

art and the storm will break, the light will shine through the confusion and the sun will brighten your pathway.

MacDonald points out, “Notice the progression in verses 3 and 4:

To Your holy hill;

To Your tabernacle;

To the altar of God;

To God my exceeding joy.

The true worshipper is satisfied with neither a geographical location nor a building nor an altar. He must get through to God Himself!”

Verse 5

Why am I so sad? Why am I so upset? I should put my hope in God and keep praising him, my Savior and my God.

Are you asking the same questions in this verse -- “Why am I so sad? Why am I so upset?” Perhaps you are facing a difficult and confusing time. The psalmist understood what he needed to do in spite of his feelings of confusion. He said he would put his hope in God and he would keep praising his Savior. When you are looking for direction in your life, put your hope in God. He will give you the answer. And keep praising the Savior. He will guide you down the road to victory.

Spurgeon comments, “...as surely as the sun is in the heavens, light must arise for the people of God, though for awhile they may walk in darkness.”

Footnotes:

This study on Psalm 43 © 2000 by David Humpal, all rights reserved.
All scriptures unless otherwise noted are from the New Century Version © 1991, Word Incorporated

Barnes’ Notes on the Old Testament, Psalms, pg. 13, Baker Book House

Brandt: Psalms/Now pg. 70 © 1993, Concordia Publishing House

My Pilot by E. Margaret Clarkson quoted in The Complete Speaker’s Sourcebook pg. 193 © 1996, Zondervan Publishing House

MacDonald: Believer’s Bible Commentary, Old Testament volume, pg. 617 © 1990, Thomas Nelson Publishers

Spurgeon: The Treasury of David, vol. I, pg. 294, MacDonald Publishing Company