Psalms 43:2

2 For You are the 1God of my strength; why have You 2rejected me? Why do I go 3mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

Psalms 43:2 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 43:2

For thou [art] the God of my strength
Who being the strong and mighty God was able to deliver and save him, as well as to plead his cause; and was the author and giver of strength, natural and spiritual, to him; and was the strength of his heart, life and salvation; and is a good reason why he committed his cause unto him;

why doest thou cast me off?
this is the language of unbelief: it being what was not in reality, only in appearance: the psalmist was ready to conclude he was cast off and rejected of God, because he was afflicted and left in a desolate condition by him, and he did not immediately arise to his help and deliverance, and had withdrawn the light of his countenance from him; but God does not cast off or reject any of his people; they always continue in his love, and in his covenant, and in the hands of his Son; they are always in his sight and family, and shall never perish eternally; and whoever casts them off, or casts them out, he will not;

why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
(See Gill on Psalms 42:9).

Psalms 43:2 In-Context

1 Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man!
2 For You are the God of my strength; why have You rejected me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
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.
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.
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.

Cross References 3

  • 1. Psalms 18:1; Psalms 28:7; Psalms 31:4
  • 2. Psalms 44:9; Psalms 88:14
  • 3. Psalms 42:9

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or "while the enemy oppresses"
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