Psalms 43

David prayeth to be righted against his fierce and crafty Enemies, maketh his complain to God of his distress, entreateth for a gracious performance of his promises, and encourageth his drooping soul with faith and confidence.

1. Do me right, O God, and debate my controversy: [See Psal.35.on v.1.] deliver me from the unkind people, from the man of deceit and of wrong [i.e. from him that persecuters and seeks to surprise me cunningly and wrongfully, or perversely, such as were Saul and his Counsellors, Absalom and Achitophel, &c. Comp. Psa.5.on v.7.]

2. For thou art the God of my strength, why doest thou (then) reject me? Why go I still in black, (See Psalm 35.on v.14.] by reason of the Enemies oppression?

3. Send thy light, [viz. The light of thy countenance (as frequently and below Psa.44.4.) or thy favour and love, whereby the darkness of darkness of my sad and grievous condition may be dispelled. See Psa.27.on v.1.] and thy truth [Of the promises, which thou hast made unto me] that they may lead me; that they bring me to the hill of thy holiness [by reason that this is commonly taken and understood of mount Zion (See Psa.2.6.) Some do hold that this Psalm was not made in Saul’s time (the Tabernacle being not there yet) but sometime afterwards, as it may be about the time of his persecution by Absalom, &c.] and to thine habitation: [or Tabernacles, in regard that this word is expressed in the plural number; some conceive that it may have reference to the several places or stations of the solemn worship, in Sauls and Davids days. The place of Moseh his Tabernacle was at Nob, and afterward at Gibeon, 1 Sam.21. and 1 Kings 3:4. and 1 Chron.16.39. The place of the Ark was at Kirjath-Jearim, until David fetched the same away into Zion, 1 Sam.7.1,2. And 2 Sam.6.3,4. Others understand, that it doth simply regard the several habitations, or partitions in Gods house, viz.the most holy place and the court. And Compare Psa.46.5. and 84.2.]

4. And that I may go into Gods Altar; [The Altar of burnt sacrifice] unto the God of the gladness of my rejoicing, [that gives me cause and occasion, of singular great joy and cheerfulness inwardly in my heart and outwardly in my deportment and behaviour] and praise thee with the harp, O God, my God.

5. Why bowest thou thee down, O my soul, and why art thou unquiet within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise him; [From the likeness of the words, that are used in this and in the precedent Psalm, some do gather that both of them were made by David, about one and the same time, or at least in the like condition, as when he was fain to fly at first before Saul, and afterwards before Absalom] he is the manifold salvation of my face, and my God. [as Psa.42.12. See the annotation there.]