SEND FORTH YOUR LIGHT
Key verse: 3
NIV
Psalm 43[a]
1 Vindicate me, my God,
and plead my cause(A)
against an unfaithful nation.
Rescue me(B) from those who are
deceitful and wicked.(C)
2 You are God my stronghold.
Why have you rejected(D) me?
Why must I go about mourning,(E)
oppressed by the enemy?(F)
3 Send me your light(G) and your faithful care,(H)
let them lead me;(I)
let them bring me to your holy mountain,(J)
to the place where you dwell.(K)
4 Then I will go(L) to the altar(M) of God,
to God, my joy(N) and my delight.(O)
I will praise you with the lyre,(P)
O God, my God.
5 Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.(Q)
Footnotes
- Psalm 43:1 In many Hebrew manuscripts Psalms 42 and 43 constitute one psalm.
Cross references
- Psalm 43:1 : S Jdg 6:31
- Psalm 43:1 : S Ps 25:20
- Psalm 43:1 : S Ps 36:3; 109:2
- Psalm 43:2 : Ps 44:9; 74:1; 88:14; 89:38
- Psalm 43:2 : S Ps 35:14
- Psalm 43:2 : S Ps 42:9
- Psalm 43:3 : Ps 27:1
- Psalm 43:3 : S Ps 26:3
- Psalm 43:3 : S Ps 25:5
- Psalm 43:3 : Ps 2:6
- Psalm 43:3 : S 2Sa 15:25
- Psalm 43:4 : S Ps 42:2
- Psalm 43:4 : Ps 26:6; 84:3
- Psalm 43:4 : S Ps 21:6
- Psalm 43:4 : Ps 16:3
- Psalm 43:4 : S Ge 4:21
- Psalm 43:5 : S Ps 42:6
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
Send Out Your Light and Your Truth
43 (A)Vindicate me, O God, and (B)defend my cause
against an ungodly people,
from (C)the deceitful and unjust man
deliver me!
2 For you are (D)the God in whom I take refuge;
why have you (E)rejected me?
Why do I (F)go about mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?
3 (G)Send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your (H)holy hill
and to your (I)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 (J)Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
(K)Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. Send forth your light and truth (1-4)
The Psalmist is living in an ungodly nation, among deceitful and wicked people. The darkness around him is tangible. It sometimes makes him feel that God is far away. He prays that God may send forth his light and truth. God's light dispels the deepest darkness; God's truth washes all of the world's lies from our hearts. The word of God is the light and truth that leads us to God himself.
2. Put your hope in God (5)
The people of an ungodly nation put their hope in many things, and God's people are always tempted to adopt the value system of the world. But the Psalmist puts his hope in God. At the altar of God he finds forgiveness of sins. He meets God and offers to him sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving. When God's people glorify and enjoy God, they find meaning and hope, even while living in a dark and uncertain world.
Prayer: Lord, teach me the spiritual joy of the Psalmist. Through your word, send your light and truth to me so that I may be led into your presence.
One Word: Guide me by your light and truth
