Psalm 43

1 Vindicate me, O God,
and plead my cause against an ungodly nation;
rescue me from deceitful and wicked men.

2 You are God my stronghold.
Why have you rejected me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?

3 Send forth your light and your truth,
let them guide me;
let them bring me to your holy mountain,
to the place where you dwell.

4 Then will I go to the altar of God,
to God, my joy and my delight.
I will praise you with the harp,
O God, my God.

5 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

Pslam 43:5 has previously been repeated twice in Psalm 42 as verses 5a and 11. Anything that is repeatedly mentioned in the Bible must be somewhat significant.

Yesterday afternoon, Pastor Khong just shared with us that many of us have a certain sense of restlessness in this Year of Sabbath. This restlessness could be due to God-fearing Christians envious of non-Christians' successes in their careers, families, r/s, etc. It could also be due to negative circumstances as well.

Doesn't Psalm 43:5 mention about some kind of disturbances (restlessness) in our spirits? "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."

Just today, I was tired and weary after a day of teaching in school. I wanted to have a good rest when I reached home. But my father told me over the phone to help him do something (which I felt was unecessary at this point). I felt so disturbed in my soul, just like what the psalmist said. I was kind of upset at my father.

I prayed about it, and God reminded me of Psalm 43:5. The key to get out of this state of disturbance is to put my hope in God, and recognize that He is my Savior and my God. I just need to trust Him and do persevere to do good.


Things to ponder
1. What are two areas in your life that you feel constantly disturbed about?
2. What do you think God wants you to do about those two areas?
3. Pray and commit the two areas to the Lord. Trust Him and persevere on in doing good!

Click here for Pastor YC's reflection on Psalm 43