Overview: (NET) Many medieval Hebrew MSS combine Psalm 43 and Psalm 42 into one psalm. Psalm 43 is the only psalm in Book 2 of the Psalter (Psalms 42–72) that does not have a heading, suggesting that it was originally the third and concluding section of Psalm 42. Ps 43:5 is identical to the refrain in Ps 42:11 and almost identical to the refrain in Ps 42:5.
Repeated idea:
We saw the desire of the author to move from his present location to a place. From v.1-4 he was getting closer and closer to that target place:
The author asked God to fight for him against an "ungodly nation." He wanted God to lead him back to "your holy hill," and "the place where you live" v.3. Why did the author want to go back there? Because he would go to the "altar of God," and more specifically "to the God who gives me joy." v.4.
v.4b to the God who gives me ecstatic joy,
so that I express my thanks to you, O God, my God, with a harp.
His desire is to get back to God Who gives him joy and give thanks to Him.
Before he could get there he has this hope:
v. 5 Why are you depressed, O my soul?
Why are you upset?
Wait for God!
For I will again give thanks
to my God for his saving intervention.
Reflection:
Thanks to the Lord, Christian today do not limit by the location to worship God. However, does our heart desire to go to God? Is God our ecstatic joy? According to Piper, our hearts always look for things/persons that give us joy. If God is not the One who gives us joy then we will not long for Him. Therefore, Piper wants us to learn to be joyful in the LORD! Have you learn this secret? Do you desire God or other things/persons whom you think will give you more joy?
Audrey
Comments