Psalms 43:3

3 Give me your lantern and compass, give me a map, So I can find my way to the sacred mountain, to the place of your presence,

Psalms 43:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 43:3

O send out thy light and thy truth
By light is meant, not the law, as Arama; but rather, as some Jewish F16 interpreters understand it, the Messiah, the sun of righteousness, and light of the world; who is the author of all light, natural, spiritual, and eternal; and whose coming into the world is often signified by being sent into it. The Spirit of God also is the enlightener of men, both at first conversion and afterwards, and is sent down into their hearts as a comforter of them, by being the Spirit of adoption. The Gospel of Christ is a great and glorious light, which, with the Holy Ghost, is sent down from heaven; though perhaps here rather may be meant the light of God's countenance, the discoveries of his favour and lovingkindness, which produce light, life, joy, peace, and comfort: and by "truth" may be meant, either Christ himself, who is the truth; or the Gospel the word of truth; or rather the faithfulness of God in the fulfilment of his promises; and so the words are a petition that God would show forth his lovingkindness, and make good his word, which would be of the following use:

let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy
tabernacles;
that is, to the place of public worship, where the tabernacle was, the "hill" where it was, which seems to be Mount Zion; and is called "holy"; not that there was any real holiness in it; only relative, because of the worship of God in it; and the "tabernacle" is called "tabernacles", because of the holy place and the most holy place in it; the one being the first, the other the second tabernacle, as in ( Hebrews 9:2 Hebrews 9:3 ) ; and this hill and tabernacles represented the church and ordinances of God, to which such who are possessed of light and truth are led.


FOOTNOTES:

F16 Midrash Tillim, & Jarchi, in loc.

Psalms 43:3 In-Context

1 Clear my name, God; stick up for me against these loveless, immoral people. Get me out of here, away from these lying degenerates.
2 I counted on you, God. Why did you walk out on me? Why am I pacing the floor, wringing my hands over these outrageous people?
3 Give me your lantern and compass, give me a map, So I can find my way to the sacred mountain, to the place of your presence,
4 To enter the place of worship, meet my exuberant God, Sing my thanks with a harp, magnificent God, my God.
5 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God - soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.