Send Out Your Light and Truth and Let Them Lead Me Lord – Psalm 43

We can see from the similarity of wording, especially the refrain, “Why are you cast down, O my soul,” that this was originally a continuation of Psalm 42.  That is also why there is no superscription telling who wrote it.  It is a continuation of the psalms of the sons of Korah.  There is a wonderful song by Phil Keaggy, Send Out Your Light, which picks up the refrain of this psalm.

Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people, from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me!  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?

Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!  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.

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.  (Psalm 43 ESV)

This was originally the end of Psalm 42, but it has been separated out as its own song for worship.  The plea of our hearts mirrors God’s heart for justice and vindication.  Those who oppose godliness and righteousness must get their due.  In the meantime our hearts also cry for God to turn our mourning into joy by leading us with light and truth back to the place of corporate worship and personal peace.  We encourage ourselves with the fact that He is our joy and salvation.