Bible Commentaries
Psalms 43

Introduction

BOOK II.— PSS. XLII.– LXXII.

Psalms 42-83 are Elohistic, i.e. they use the word God (Elohim) and avoid the proper name Yahweh, probably from motives of reverence. Here and there, however, the name Yahweh has crept into the text by a natural slip of the scribes.

Verses 1-5

Psalms 43:1-5 . Hopeful prayer for restoration to the Temple. It is impossible to say who are meant by the “ ungodly nation,” the nation that is not hasid (see Psalms 43*) or pious. Following this clue we might understand by the nation that is not pious, the mass of careless or apostate Jews, since nobody would expect zealous piety from heathen. But it is doubtful if goi. the word translated “ nation,” could mean here a party in a nation. Besides, hasid may be used in a more general sense, viz. “ merciful.”

Psalms 43:3 . The light is that of God’ s countenance, His favour: His truth is His faithfulness. They are here personified.— The plural form “ tabernacles” refers to the Temple with its various rooms and courts.

Psalms 43:4 . the gladness of my joy ( mg.) is almost as strange in Heb. as in English. We may perhaps read “ I will go to the altar of God, the God of my joy, I will exult and upon the harp,” etc.