MESSAGE - PSALM 43 PSALM FROM THE SONS OF KORAH
Ron Ferguson ronaldf@aapt.net.au
Good morning to you. We are going to look at Psalm 43 today and that follows from the turmoil of Psalm 42 we have been looking at.
Here is an opening quote from Olsen, the writer of an excellent volume on the Psalms - "Here is a sad psalm for sad people. While there is an abundance of fanfare and much noise in this world, there is also a vast army of sad hearts. Thousands crowded about one of the corners of New York City this past week (this was written about 1932) to watch a young man dangling from the ledge of the 17th floor of a New York hotel. For hours he stood there threatening to jump to his death and finally did, just two minutes before the police and fire departments had put out a net that would have saved him. Sad hearts? The world is filled with sad hearts. That young man left behind him a family whose hearts were subjected to a terrific strain. They pleaded with him for hours to refrain from carrying out his intention. There was a crowd at the foot of the building watching with intense eagerness the actions of a single man. Some were amused and some were entertained. Others, it would appear, stayed for hours to satisfy their morbid appetites of feasting upon other people’s grief. Yet there must have been men and women in that crowd whose hearts were stirred and who were reminded of their own troubles. This world is a vale of sorrows, but there was one who walked its sands who was called “a man of sorrows”. He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows to the cross, and because he was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, he can now succour all those who come to Him with their troubled hearts and minds."
There are only 5 verses here but each one has its own story, and is full of meaning, not only for the son of Korah who wrote it, but for all God’s people since its composition. As with nearly all (many) psalms it begins with a problem and ends in positive territory. David Jeremiah said of the psalms, “They begin with a sigh, and end with praise.” This one does that. It was written by a man whose life was in God, who looked to the Lord and walked with Him. One point here is that the psalm does not have a title as the psalms of Korah do nearly always. We know it belongs to the Korah clan because of the content, and the last verse here, being used twice in Psalm 42. It is obvious that these two psalms were linked, actually one psalm once, but for some reason the original psalm was split, and for that reason I attribute them to the sons of Korah.
Psa 43 v 1 Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation. O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man!
The problem the writer had was with his nation and with an unjust man. He knew his help and deliverance could only belong to God. Now when we come to search out the details of who this nation and man are, we have a difficulty, for it all depends on who wrote the psalm and when; or what was the event. A body of commentators suggests David wrote this psalm (which he did not) and either Absalom or Ahithophel may be meant as the deceitful and unjust man, or "man" may be used abstractedly for David's enemies generally. Alsalom, one of David’s sons, tried to wrest the kingdom from David and ended up losing his life. Do you remember the message on “The Son of Haggith”? David had problems with his sons, and even Solomon went bad through his life, for he filled Jerusalem with idols to appease his 1 000 wives and concubines. One reason I think David did not write this about Absalom, is what is recorded after Absalom’s death, and this is it - 2Sam 18 v 33 and the king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept and thus he said as he walked, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom. Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son.” However, the events may have referred to Absalom’s rebellion, but the psalm was written by a son of Korah, but you must also include Psalm 42 into the equation. The Korahites did accompany David when he fled from Jerusalem. Barnes says – “This verse 1 would apply well to the case and character of Absalom, or perhaps more directly and properly to the character and counsel of Ahithophel, among the leading conspirators in the rebellion of Absalom, to whose counsels much of the rebellion was owing: We do not know for certain the events that inspired this psalm, but the writer could well have taken the Absalom incident.”
Just a word about this prayer in verse 1. Some say when evil is done to you, you just accept it and turn the other cheek. That is supposed to be the Christian way. The psalmist prays for vindication and that is fully correct. Vindication does not mean you are praying for vengeance, for vengeance belongs to the Lord, and we should not seek our own vengeance. It is not wrong to seek justice, but also, be aware that lots of Christians don’t see justice here on earth, but persecution instead. Do good to those who hate you and despitefully use you. That is the Christian way. Listen now to this prayer – (Rev. 6 v 10) and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” What do you think of that for desiring vengeance? That prayer is both incorrect and correct. How come? It is incorrect for Christians in this age of grace to use that prayer, but it is totally appropriate in the Tribulation where this prayer is set – Rev 6 v 10 in the midst of God’s wrath. It is correct to pray that God would exonerate His own people, that they would be vindicated, and that we/Christians would be delivered from our persecutors and out of the hand of those who seek to do us evil, for the world is full of those people. I have prayed that God will judge those who commit this mass murderer of the unborn up to 22 weeks (now in my State of Queensland, it is up to the day of birth). It is an abomination to God who said, “be fruitful and multiply”. We can pray against these people, but it is not being motivated by vengeance.
Psa 43 v 2 You are the God of my strength - why have You rejected me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
The verse indicates the conflict of human emotions. It is when our emotions are touched, that we face uncertainties, even confusion. We try to make some sense of our situation and we arrive at mixed thoughts. The writer knows the underlying truth that God is his strength, and solid foundation, and strong tower in oppression, and persecution and trouble, even great trouble. However individuals feel sometimes in great affliction, that God has deserted them, or rejected them, or as we might say, just walked away from a person in need; turned your back on that one. Yes, it feels like that at times in our lives, especially when we can’t make sense of our situation, or account for the pain and hurt. These things are very real and it does not mean you are a weak Christian or unworthy. God will not allow us to be afflicted or oppressed more than we can bear. He gives grace in need, and strength to meet the foe or the difficulty. The psalmist knew that, but was plagued by thoughts of rejection.
We are more blessed I feel than the Old Testament believers. The Lord has come and sent the Holy Spirit after He returned to the Father. The Holy Spirit is called The Helper; The Advocate; The Comforter; The Spirit of Truth; The Teacher. In the Old Testament days the Holy Spirit came upon a person to strengthen that person for a special task, but He never remained. He came and went as the situation demanded. In the New Testament teaching we know the Holy Spirit abides with us always, and ministers to us and comforts us. Matthew Henry adds, “Let us never think that the God of our life, and the Rock of our salvation, has forgotten us, if we have made his mercy, truth, and power, our refuge. Thus the psalmist strove against his despondency: at last his faith and hope obtained the victory. Let us learn to check all unbelieving doubts and fears. Apply the promise first to ourselves, and then plead it to God.”
The writer was in mourning because he felt isolated and threatened and fragile. It is exactly times like that, that open to us the great treasures of God’s resources. I wonder if we can say that in heaven there is a “God’s Resources Bank”, and we draw out of the account what we need when we need it. It is like this Hebrews verse - Heb. 4 v 16 Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need. To sum up verse 2 in this psalm, feelings and emotions must not overcome fact. The fact is that God is closer than we can ever understand, but our feelings create a barrier to His presence. Saturate yourselves in God’s word, especially the Psalms when you feel estranged or isolated, even when you feel rejected.
Again from Olsen - "The psalmist knew what it was to be sorrowful. Sorrows are the common lot of man. None of us is exempt. When our heart is heavy and our sorrows are burdensome, and we do not know where to turn, we should do exactly as the psalmist did, go into the presence of God and speak to Him. We will soon discover that God has a purpose in the ministry of suffering; that He wants us in His presence to enjoy His fellowship and He, to enjoy ours, so that we may know the wellsprings of joy, and understand that the highest and best moments of a man’s life are those in which he has a quiet, undisturbed, intimate fellowship with the eternal God in Christ."
Psa 43 v 3 O send out Your light and Your truth. Let them lead me. Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling places.
Here we have a dramatic turn around as the writer realises he must remove himself from himself, and commit himself to God. Then, what is it that will bring the nearness he has lost? If you remember Psalm 42, it had similar thoughts - Psa 42 v 6 O my God, my soul is in despair within me. In this verse the writer knew that two things he mentioned were essential for his walk with the Lord. The first of these is light, and light will then shed understanding on truth. Light and truth are essential. They will lead him into the wisdom of a wise man as he makes his way to God’s presence (and that is indicated by the hill and dwelling places = Tabernacle).
It is very true that Jesus is the Light of the world, and the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is light and truth. For us New Testament Christians, that is our secret. Light and truth in the Lord Jesus Christ. What is God’s Resource Bank? It is Jesus. What is our refuge in trouble? It is Jesus. Where can I turn when I feel forsaken? It is to Jesus. We can pray as the psalmist did, “Send out Your light and truth.” That is the full answer to a despondent heart and a sinking spirit. Just one other thing, always remember Jesus is our Great High Priest and is always interceding for us!
We need light to lead and direct. How many remember the old kerosene hurricane lamps? Well they showed us the way in front of our feet. I think you know this magnificent verse - Psa. 119 v 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. The hurricane lamps are the lamp for the feet but a torch like this (show one) is the light for our path. We need both, one to reveal what is immediately needed, and the other to help us plan ahead.
Olsen makes an observation - I had already called his attention to the reflections of light streaming from the road reflectors along the edges of the road which lit up the contour of the highway – only to have Mr Rees tell me that this method of road lighting was extensively used in England. But he said, those little discs called road reflectors have no light in themselves. They merely reflect light from borrowed light – only as the rays of light from the headlights of your car play upon the reflectors, do they prove to be a guide in the dark. Isn’t that true of us? We have no light in ourselves. It is only as God sends out His light and His truth that we can be led in the right path. A few minutes later Mrs Olsen added a further thought as she drew attention to the varying degrees of light which were apparent – some of the reflectors farthest away gave the brightest light, some gave no light at all, while others gave only a little light. It is only as the road reflectors are properly and fully focused directly to the headlights, that they give the maximum of light. How true of us! If we are to be shining lights in this world, we must look full into His wonderful face on which abides the light of the knowledge of the glory of God. In Psalm 34 verse 5 we read, “They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.”
Psa 43 v 4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and upon the lyre I shall praise You, O God, my God.
The use of the word “Then” which opens the verse, means there is a follow on from the previous verse, 2. From verse 2, you can not get to verse 4 if you omit verse 3. Verse 3 is the door to verse 4. Only when you understand what the light and truth in Jesus is, only then can you approach God with joy and praise. This is a heart thing, not a music thing or a church thing or a gathering thing. It is a person being in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in His fullness of light and truth. Strumming a lyre is nothing. Bashing on the piano or drums is nothing. It is not the lyre or the piano that makes joy. It is joy that should operate the lyre and piano. People play musical instruments in churches to try to hype the people up and then call that praise. It is so wrong. It is praise and joy that must come to operate the instruments. People have it so wrong. The instrument becomes but the means of expressing that joy of praise, not the endeavour to create praise and joy. When you think hard into verse 4, then you can see the uplifting of the spirit as it rises in joy and praise to the Lord. Literally it is “unto God the gladness of my exultation.” There is no other secret – enter the joy of the Lord through light and truth. Jesus is the Light; the bible is the truth. Do not neglect either one.
Psa 43 v 5 Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, the help of my countenance, and my God.
Hope does not disappoint - Romans 5 v 3 Not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance, Rom. 5:4 and perseverance, proven character, and proven character, hope, Rom. 5:5 and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” In spite of all the adversity, and what looked like a hopeless situation, the palmist knew that in God, all would be resolved, for his faith grew the fruit of hope.
What this verse loosely is saying, is this – “What is wrong with you, my soul? Get real! Cease being in despair and disturbed. That is a stupid position to be in, so stop it. The solution is very clear. It is hope in the immovable God that will gain your victory. Now, again, hope in God, my soul! Just know this, soul – get hope fixed in God, and then you will be able to praise Him as you used to.”
Here is a little summary based on hope from a Christian preacher called Forsayth –
(1). HOPE IS BASED ON GOD'S REVELATION OF HIMSELF. The lesson comes to us from all sides that God is true, and that his laws should be trusted. Therefore we feel safe in putting ourselves in line with his will; in wholly surrendering ourselves to His guidance and keeping.
(2). HOPE IS CHARACTERISTIC OF THE RIGHTEOUS. Hope is not a chance thing, but is born of faith. We cannot hope in God unless as we are of the same mind with God. Hope is not an easy thing, but requires the putting forth of our own strength and will. "Like the highest forms of courage, it is a refusal to be borne down and cowed and depressed by evil - a refusal to indulge in the melancholy pleasure of looking and dwelling on the dark side of things."
(3). HOPE IN GOD IS ESSENTIAL TO THE RIGHT DISCIPLINE OF LIFE. All kinds of trials come to us. There are troubles without and fears within. There are mistakes we cannot correct, losses we cannot repair, evils to ourselves and others awful to see, but sorer still because they cannot be remedied. Enemies rise up against us (verse 1). Our hearts are ready to fail for fear, and "for looking after those things which are coming." What are we to do? Shall we give way to despondency, and cry, like Jacob, "All these things are against me"? or shall we let Hope have her perfect work in calming and sustaining our souls? The answer is clear, "Hope in God."
(4). HOPE IN GOD IS A SURE PROPHET OF THE GOOD TIME COMING. Every hope is in a sense a prophecy. But often the prophecy is false. Bright gleams the vision in the distance, but nearer approach and closer scrutiny, prove that it is a delusion and a snare. It is like the mirage, which leaves the desert all the barer and the gloomier when it fades into the light of common day. But it is otherwise with the Christian's hope. It is real. It stands inquiry. It verifies itself by the moral effects which it produces. All the future, onward into the vast eternal spaces, is covered by it; and it will come. "Christ in us the Hope of glory!"
