Chapter Summary

Prayer for God's help and leading.

Discussion Questions for Psalms, Chapter 43

1. What journey is the reader’s heart posture taken on in this Psalm? What shifts take place?
2. This Psalm opens with a cry to God for vindication. How does the Psalmist’s request for God to defend His cause speak to his understanding of God’s involvement in his life?
3. What is the Psalmist longing for in this chapter? How does his expression of longing make him relatable?
4. Psalm 43:2, "For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you rejected me? Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?" (ESV) Sometimes we can feel rejected by God, whether we truly believe it or not. What is it like seeing the Psalmist speak his heart to The Lord? Have you ever been this honest with The Lord? How does this honesty invite The Lord to turn our hearts towards truth?
5. Psalm 43:3, "Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!" (ESV) What does God’s holy hill represent to the Psalmist? How would God’s light lead the Psalmist to this dwelling?
6. Psalm 43:4, "Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God." (ESV) How does the Psalmists response inspire you to understand more of who God is? How does this verse capture the trueness of his trust in God? How does the addition of "exceeding" enhance the joy that God brings?
7. What does the downcast soul look like? How can we encourage others whose hearts are in turmoil? What usually encourages you when you are feeling cast down?
8. Psalm 43:5, "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God." (ESV) Here is the third time the Psalmist speaks this to The Lord. Do you have a word of honesty and truth that you consistently remind yourself of? What impact do you think this reminder had on the Psalmist?
9. What is the Psalmists remedy for despair? What specific area of your life can you apply this to today?
10. How does the Psalmist’s hopeful close to the Psalm contrast from worldly news? Describe the difference between real hope and fake positivity.

Key Words/Phrase

Oppression, v. 2.

Characters

God, Psalmist.

Strong Verse(s)

3, 5.