Psalms 43:2

2 (42-2) For thou art God my strength: why hast thou cast me off? and why do I go sorrowful whilst the enemy afflicteth me?

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and left in a desolate condition by him, and he did not immediately arise to his help and deliverance, and had withdrawn the light of his countenance from him; but God does not cast off or reject any of his people; they always continue in his love, and in his covenant, and in the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 (42-1) <A psalm for David.> Judge me, O God, and distinguish my cause from the nation that is not holy: deliver me from the unjust and deceitful man.
2 (42-2) For thou art God my strength: why hast thou cast me off? and why do I go sorrowful whilst the enemy afflicteth me?
3 (42-3) Sent forth thy light and thy truth: they have conducted me, and brought me unto thy holy hill, and into thy tabernacles.
4 (42-4) And I will go in to the altar of God: to God who giveth joy to my youth.
5 (42-5) To thee, O God my God, I will give praise upon the harp: why art thou sad, O my soul? and why dost thou disquiet me? (42-6) Hope in God, for I will still give praise to him: the salvation of my countenance, and my God.
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