Psalms 13 and 43 — Lament and Praise
Introduction: Even though these two Psalms are very brief, they have some similarities in the important progression of thought they describe. While Psalms 13 is in book 1 and Psalms 43 is in book 2, the Holy Spirit directed the writing of both Psalms, and they begin with an appeal to God to be a very present advocate. Some doubtful concerns are expressed in somewhat differing ways, but both Psalms conclude with an expression of trust in the comfort of the LORD. The two Psalms can be compared with some New Testament references as well as with some in the Old Testament.
NOTE: All passages are from the New King James Version (NKJV).
A — The Psalmist Felt as Though God Had Turned Away from Him
Psalms 13 “1 How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? 2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?”
Psalms 43 “1 Vindicate me, O God, And plead my cause against an ungodly nation; Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man! 2 For You are the God of my strength; Why do You cast me off? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”
Comments: Considering the opening of both Psalms, there is in the heart, a plea to the LORD, knowing God is the just judge of all matters among men. In Psalms 13 there is a sense of struggling in waiting for a response from God, while having the feeling of abandonment. In Psalms 43 the request is to first be judged by God to be cleared of blame or suspicion, and then to defend and support his approach to oppose ungodly people. Whether we are struggling from oppression of various types from non-believers, or having difficulty with personal factors of disappointment in our life, we may have the feeling that God has forgotten us. This is the time when we need to go to the all-knowing LORD in prayer, and ask about whatever is in our heart about our difficulties. “But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV). We need to depend on strength that is not our own, because we will face some spiritual battles as long as we are in this present world. Ephesians 6 “10 Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
B — The LORD Is the Light That Guides to Worship and to Everlasting Life
Psalms 13 “3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God; Enlighten my eyes, Lest I sleep the sleep of death; 4 Lest my enemy say, ‘I have prevailed against him’; Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.”
Psalms 43 “3 Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle. 4 Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God.”
Comments: The psalmist had an urgent feeling that the enemy would prevail if the LORD did not bring about the light of life as only God can provide; and the enemy would rejoice if they saw that the psalmist has been moved from any position of security in God. So it is important to request that the LORD send out His light and truth to spiritually lead unto the heavenly tabernacle where praise and worship can be offered with joy. That is how Christians all around the world have access to worship Jehovah in the present time! And that worship should not be in a solemn manner, for the psalmist spoke of the harp that he would use to make a joyful instrumental sound as part of praise to the LORD. Psalms 25 “1 To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me. 4 Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. 5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.”
C — Joyfully Offer Praise unto the LORD, Remembering That His Loving Kindness Guarantees Eternal Salvation
Psalms 13 “5 But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. 6 I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.”
Psalms 43 “5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.”
Comments: There is no mention at this closing point, of any change in the circumstances that were present at the beginning when the psalmist made the plea to the LORD. But the psalmist processed through his thoughts and came to the point of placing his full trust as he would wait for the final outcome, believing that the love of the LORD is faithful. In the last verse of Psalms 43 there is the reaction that many Christians of today may identify with: as we might come to the point of thinking why am I allowing myself to forget that God is always in control of all matters that a Christian faces. But the LORD knows that believers often need to be reassured in their faith. Psalms 57 “1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. 2 I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me. 3 He shall send from heaven and save me; God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.” Romans 8 “26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
Reflections in Prayer
LORD, please help me whenever I find myself feeling weak in my Christian walk, to remember the sustaining strength that only the God of all creation can provide through the Holy Spirit. There are no enemies in this world who can do anything to take from me the grace of salvation of my soul firmly established by my Savior Jesus Christ. I want to honestly wait for your truth and light to continually renew my strength for the challenges that all Christians face in varied degrees in this fallen world, remembering the sure hope in My Savior God, for I know I shall yet praise my LORD forever in the heavenly kingdom. Hallelujah, Amen!
Published 29 August 2023