The Daily Office for September 7, 2012
Scripture Readings
Old Testament
Psalm
New Testament
Gospel
Reflection
Psalm 43 is a prayer for deliverance from the deceitful and for guidance by the light and truth of God. There is no title to this psalm, but presumably it was written by David, who probably also wrote Psalm 42. In fact, there is a close relationship between the two psalms. The refrain of verses 6 and 11 of Psalm 42 appears as the conclusion of Psalm 43. Psalm 43 brings the unresolved issues of Psalm 42 to a conclusion. The remarkable coincidence of thought and language in these two psalms has led many scholars to believe that they were originally one psalm. The lack of a superscription over Psalm 43 may be additional evidence for this hypothesis. Yet, each psalm is complete in itself, although they bear a relationship to each other.
In the opening verses the psalmist is aware that people frequently misjudge the motives of the righteous. Therefore, God’s intervention is asked in the struggle between David and his enemy. God’s piercing light and searching truth will vindicate the character of the psalmist. As the pillar of fire and the cloud led the Israelites into the Promised Land, so David now pleads that the Lord’s light and truth will lead him back to Jerusalem and to the worship of God in His sanctuary. May we each have the same urgent desire to worship God wherever we may be.
Collect for the Day
Almighty God, who called your Church to bear witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: help us to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may be drawn to you; through him who was lifted up on the cross, and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.