12 June 2024 - Psalm 43

God will put a smile on your face

Psalm 43:1-2(NLT) Declare me innocent, O God! Defend me against these ungodly people. Rescue me from these unjust liars. For you are God, my only safe haven. Why have you tossed me aside? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies?

In Psalm 43, the Psalmist speaks to us about being depressed or cast down. In verse 2, he speaks of mourning. In verse 5, he talks to his own soul – to himself, really – and asks why he’s depressed and upset. David then turns from his depression to instead praise this God, who is the God of his strength in verse 2. He is the God who gives David exceeding joy in verse 4.

Psalm 43:4(NLT) There I will go to the altar of God, to God—the source of all my joy. I will praise you with my harp, O God, my God!

THEN David realises that his only hope is God, as he reflects in verse 5, Psalm 43:5(NLV) Why are you sad, O my soul? Why have you become troubled within me? Hope in God, for I will praise Him again, my help and my God.

I conclude with the Message translation that says: 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.