April 24

Psalm 43-45, 49, 84-85, 87 (biblegateway.com)

Longing, Lament, and Lasting Joy

The Psalms are a rich source of both praise and lament, often reflecting the full range of human emotions and experiences. These particular psalms encompass themes of longing for God’s presence, the hope of redemption, and the beauty of God’s eternal kingdom. As we explore these psalms, we will discover how they invite us into a deeper relationship with God and challenge us to live with both hope and reverence.

Psalm 43 – A Plea for God’s Light and Truth

Psalm 43 is a prayer that continues the themes of Psalm 42. Though often joined as one in Hebrew manuscripts, Psalm 43 stands alone as a cry for deliverance and renewed hope. While traditionally attributed to David, the authorship is uncertain. The superscription mentions the “sons of Korah,” descendants of Levi known for their temple service and musical contributions. Despite Korah’s rebellion in Numbers 16, his line continued to serve faithfully, and several psalms are linked to them.

The writer opens this psalm with a plea for divine vindication, asking God to defend him against the unjust accusations and oppression of his adversaries (v. 1). He appeals to God as a righteous judge, as though presenting his case in a court of law, and seeks justice against an unnamed, hostile nation. This is the cry of an innocent sufferer, longing for God to act as his advocate. The psalmist’s prayer is rooted in the confidence that God is his stronghold, yet he wrestles with the emotional weight of feeling abandoned in his distress. God’s apparent silence in the face of the enemy’s attacks deepens the psalmist’s sense of rejection (v. 2).

In verse 3, the psalmist prays for God to send His light and truth to guide him back to the holy hill, the place where God dwells. The “holy hill” refers to Mount Zion in Jerusalem, the city David established as Israel’s capital. The temple was built there as the central place for the people to meet with God in worship and prayer. In verse 4, the psalmist expresses a vow to praise God for His deliverance. Once he arrives at the sanctuary, his soul’s longing will be fulfilled in the presence of God, who is his joy and delight. The psalm concludes in verse 5 with the repeated refrain from Psalm 42:5 and 11—a hopeful expression of faith that he will again praise God for his salvation and deliverance.

Overall, Psalm 43 is a prayer of confidence in God’s justice and faithfulness, even in the midst of personal turmoil. It highlights the need for God’s guidance and presence in times of distress, and it holds out the hope of restoration and renewed worship before the Lord.

God is both our refuge and our light, inviting His people to draw near through honest lament and steadfast trust. In seasons of discouragement, don’t pull away—run to Him. Seek His presence, and let His truth steady your soul. Will you speak truth to your heart today, even when your emotions say otherwise? Let your worship be the pathway that leads you back into the light of God’s presence.

Psalm 44 – Remembering God’s Past Faithfulness in Present Defeat

Psalm 44 is a communal lament that reflects a time of national crisis for Israel. It reflects a moment when the people of God have suffered a great calamity at the hands of their enemies and are seeking God’s intervention. The alternation between “I” and “we” in the psalm suggests that the speaker may be the king of Israel, representing the nation before God. Psalm 44 is one of the darker laments and can be divided into three strophes, moving from past to future: past victories through faith in God (v. 1-8), present defeats despite continued faithfulness (v. 9-22), and a plea for future salvation grounded in God’s unfailing love (v. 23-26).

First, the psalmist expresses confidence in the Lord, grounded in God’s past dealings with the nation and their present faith. He begins by recalling God’s mighty acts, especially how He gave victory to Israel’s ancestors and planted them in the land (v. 1-3). This refers to the conquest of Canaan, the Promised Land, as described in the Book of Joshua. God gave the land to Israel with the command to drive out those who were wicked and opposed to Him. The Israelites were to settle in the land and serve as a witness to the world of God’s power and love.

Surrounded by enemies, the psalmist found strength by remembering what God had done for His people. In the same way, we can take heart and have confidence in God by remembering His faithfulness in our own lives.

The people affirm their continued trust in God, declaring that He alone is their King and Deliverer (v. 4-8). Yet the current reality feels like abandonment. The tone shifts dramatically here, where the psalmist laments that despite their faithfulness, God has seemingly rejected them and allowed them to be defeated by their enemies. This psalm stands out because the people do not confess any specific sin or rebellion (v. 9-16). Instead, they protest their innocence, claiming that they have remained faithful to the covenant. Because this defeat was undeserved, the nation was perplexed. After affirming their integrity, the nation affirmed its covenant loyalty to God. They had not gone astray after other gods and therefore did not deserve this crushing defeat (v. 17-21). This makes Psalm 44 a powerful cry of confusion and distress, as the people struggle to understand why they are suffering.

Though the pain felt undeserved, the psalmist recognized that it came as a result of his faithfulness to the Lord. “Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered” (v. 22). The Apostle Paul later quoted this verse in Romans 8:36 to emphasize that believers must be prepared to face hardship, even death, for the sake of Christ. In this way, our suffering is not always a sign of punishment, but can instead be a powerful witness and evidence of our steadfast loyalty to God.

The psalm closes with a heartfelt cry for God to “awake” and come to the aid of His people because of His steadfast love (v. 23-26). The psalmist’s words do not imply that God had abandoned him, but rather that God, though still sovereign, seemed silent, as if asleep. This echoes a moment in the New Testament when the disciples questioned why Jesus was asleep during a violent storm, even as they feared for their lives (Mark 4:35-41). In both situations, God had not left; instead, He was using the moment to strengthen the faith of His people.

Psalm 44 captures the tension between trusting in God’s past faithfulness and enduring present suffering. It reminds us that even the faithful can experience hardship. Yet it encourages us to bring our pain and confusion honestly before God, trusting Him to respond in love and in His perfect timing. God allows seasons of silence and struggle, not because He is absent, but because His purposes often go beyond our understanding. When your present feels disconnected from your past experiences of God, recall His faithfulness and cry out with confidence. Can you trust God even when He seems distant? Let your memory of His faithfulness fuel your present endurance.

Psalm 45 – A Royal Wedding and a Messianic King

Psalm 45 is a royal psalm celebrating the king’s (possibly Solomon’s) wedding. Whether these words are to be sung by the congregation or by a choir, they are addressed to the king himself. Psalms directed to the king rather than to the deity are common in the ancient Near East, but this is one of the few examples in the book of Psalms. This is also called a Messianic psalm because it carries deep messianic overtones and prophetically describes the Messiah’s future relationship to the church, His body of believers.

The psalmist describes the king as fair and gracious, victorious in righteousness (v. 2-5). God Himself addresses the king with divine affirmation, anointing him with the oil of joy (v. 6-7). Middle Assyrian Laws feature the bride being anointed by the father of the bridegroom as part of the wedding ceremony, but in this psalm, the anointing is part of the kingship (rather than the wedding) and represents God anointing the king to his position. This verse is quoted in Hebrews 1:8-9 to refer to the anointing of Jesus Christ through God’s divine authority. The bride is then called to leave her former identity and be united with her beloved (v. 10-11).

The psalm concludes with a blessing for future generations and the lasting fame of the king (v. 16-17). The writer envisions a prosperous royal union, declaring that the couple’s sons would become princes throughout the land. In this way, the king’s name would be remembered and honored among the nations for generations to come.

There is little doubt that Psalm 45 was on the mind of the Apostle John as he wrote Revelation 19:6-21. Looking ahead to the marriage of the Lamb, John described the Bride, Christ’s Church, clothed in fine linen, representing the righteous acts of the saints (Rev. 19:6-8). He then portrayed the royal Bridegroom, Christ Himself, riding out in righteousness to bring judgment and victory (Rev. 19:11-21). Psalm 45, therefore, serves as a typological picture of the greater Davidic King, Jesus Christ, the true and eternal King.

Psalm 49 – The Folly of Trusting in Riches

Psalm 49 is a wisdom psalm that offers instruction about the fleeting nature of wealth and the inescapable reality of death. Unlike many other psalms that focus on praise, thanksgiving, or lament, this psalm belongs to the tradition of biblical wisdom literature and is meant to teach rather than to pray or sing directly to God. It opens with a universal call to all people, rich and poor alike, to listen and gain understanding (v. 1-4), reminding us that its message transcends time, culture, and status.

The psalm then addresses the age-old tension between the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous. It warns that no amount of wealth can ransom a soul or prevent death (v. 5-12). Riches may bring temporary security in this life, but they cannot purchase eternal life or deliver anyone from the grave. The proud confidence of the wealthy is exposed as misplaced, for in the end, they perish just like the beasts. The psalm concludes with a contrasting picture of hope for the faithful. While the ungodly are laid in the grave with no lasting legacy, the righteous are promised something far greater, redemption by God Himself (v. 13-20).

In Old Testament times, the Israelites, like their neighbors in Mesopotamia, did not have a fully developed belief in resurrection, final judgment, or an afterlife with rewards or punishment. These ideas became clearer in the later parts of the Old Testament, such as Daniel 12:2. In this passage, the writer shows a contrast: while the wicked cannot escape death, he expresses strong hope that God will redeem him from the grave. The psalmist likely means that God will save his life, much like in other psalms, where God “took hold” of the psalmist to rescue him. This hope, while not a fully developed doctrine of resurrection, anticipates the New Testament revelation that through Christ, God has conquered death and offers eternal life.

The psalmist warns that it is foolish to envy the wealth of unbelievers, because their end is certain. Though they may flourish in splendor and enjoy success in this life, they ultimately descend into darkness, unable to take anything with them. The message is clear. Do not be impressed or intimidated when someone grows rich. Instead, maintain a proper perspective, one that enables spiritual discernment. In the end, the eternal destiny of the righteous is far greater than the brief and fading glory of the wicked.

This psalm invites us to examine where we place our security and what we truly value. Do we trust in God’s promises, or are we tempted to chase temporary treasures that cannot satisfy or save? Let this be a reminder to live with eternity in view. Resist the pull of envy or worldly ambition, and instead pursue wisdom, righteousness, and a deeper trust in God, who alone can redeem and sustain us beyond the grave.

Psalm 84 – Longing for God’s Presence

Psalm 84 is a beautiful companion to Psalms 42 and 43, echoing the same deep longing for God’s presence in His sanctuary. While technically a pilgrimage song, it stands apart from the official Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120–134). This psalm gives voice to the heartfelt longing of a worshiper traveling to the temple, not just for a religious obligation, but out of a passionate desire to dwell near God.

The psalmist opens with an impassioned cry: “How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God” (v. 1-2). His desire is not merely for a sacred building, but for the God who dwells there. He even notes how the sparrow finds a home near the altar (v. 3), a picture of the welcome and intimacy God offers to those who draw near.

Those who find their strength in God are called “blessed” (v. 5). Even when they pass through the Valley of Baca, a place of sorrow or dryness, they are renewed by God’s strength and go “from strength to strength” (v. 6–7). The exact location or meaning of the Valley of Baca is uncertain; it may refer to a weeping tree or simply represent seasons of hardship. Either way, the message is clear that those who seek God will find refreshment, even in dry places. The psalm reaches its climax with a powerful declaration: “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked” (v. 10).

Interestingly, in ancient Israel, temple gatekeepers had serious responsibilities. They guarded sacred space to keep out impurities, protected the temple’s valuable treasures, and helped preserve the holiness of worship. Entering the temple while unclean could bring judgment on an individual and the community. Yet for the psalmist, even such a humble role as a doorkeeper was seen as an incredible honor, because it meant being close to God.

Psalm 84 reveals a vital truth. God’s presence is our greatest blessing and the true source of joy, strength, and security. The psalmist’s longing wasn’t for comfort, success, or safety, but for communion with the living God. Our deepest fulfillment comes from abiding in Him, not from our external circumstances.

As believers, we’re invited to treasure God’s presence above all else. In a world full of distractions and temporary pleasures, Psalm 84 reminds us to seek what truly satisfies. Even in dry or painful seasons, our own “Valley of Baca”, we can be strengthened by pursuing God with our whole hearts. The challenge for us is to reorder our lives and desires so that we reflect the psalmist’s heart—to want God more than answers, more than ease, more than anything else. One day in His presence really is better than a thousand anywhere else. May we live each day with that longing and find our joy and strength in simply being with Him.

Psalm 85 – Restoration and Revival

Psalm 85 is a community lament, a prayer lifted during a time when God’s people were experiencing hardship, possibly a drought or lack of harvest, as a sign of His displeasure over their unfaithfulness (v. 1, 12). The community asks for forgiveness, not just for individuals but for the whole nation (“us”). Because of its message of God’s forgiveness and peace, Psalm 85 is often read during Christmastime as an Advent Psalm, when believers celebrate the ultimate display of God’s favor: the coming of Christ, who brings salvation and speaks peace to His people.

Psalm 85 moves from remembrance to hope, tracing a path from God’s past faithfulness to a heartfelt plea for renewal. The psalmist begins by recalling how God once restored His people, showing them mercy, forgiving their sin, and turning from His anger (v. 1-3). With that in mind, he asks, “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” (v. 6). The psalm shifts from plea to promise, affirming God’s character: steadfast love, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace. Verse 10 paints a powerful image: “Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.”

This last verse has often been understood as pointing to the reconciliation Jesus brought through His work on the cross, where God’s justice, which demands judgment for sin, met His mercy, which longs to save and restore. As Scripture says, God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezek. 33:11; 2 Pet. 3:9). This is a beautiful harmony that points ultimately to Christ, where justice and mercy meet fully at the cross.

Psalm 85 reminds us that God not only forgives, but also revives. In times of spiritual dryness or discouragement, it encourages us to seek His renewal and trust in His desire to restore joy to His people. What do you need to repent of so that you may experience fresh revival? God’s mercy is near for those who seek Him.

Psalm 87 – Glorious Things Are Spoken of Zion

Psalm 87 celebrates Jerusalem as the city of God (v. 1-3), portraying it not just as Israel’s center of worship but as the spiritual birthplace for people from all nations (v. 4-7). Like Psalms 46, 48, and 76, it exalts Zion’s significance, but its unique emphasis is on the global reach of God’s grace. The psalm offers a powerful glimpse into the universal nature of God’s kingdom, a vision that points forward to the day when Gentiles would become “fellow heirs” through the gospel (Ephesians 3:6).

Psalm 87 opens by declaring that the Lord Himself established Zion on the holy mountains and cherishes it above all the other places associated with His people (v. 1-2). This sets the tone for the psalm’s central message: Zion is not only God’s chosen dwelling, but also the spiritual birthplace of people from all nations.

What makes this psalm particularly striking is its radical vision of inclusion. The psalmist lists nations like Egypt (Rahab), Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Cush, longstanding enemies or foreign powers, and declares that people from these very places will one day be said to have been “born in Zion” (v. 4-6). God’s purpose is to reconcile people to Himself, and these five nations will be among the peoples who acknowledge Him. This is not just poetic hyperbole. It’s a prophetic vision of God’s expansive grace. Those once considered outsiders and even adversaries will be counted as true citizens of God’s kingdom.

This beautiful reversal anticipates the message of the gospel, where in Christ, there is no longer Jew or Gentile, but all are one in Him (Galatians 3:28). It foreshadows the day when the nations stream to Zion, not merely as visitors, but as fellow heirs and children of God (Isaiah 2:2–3; Ephesians 2:19).

Psalm 87, then, is more than a nationalistic song. It is a prophetic glimpse of the global family of God. It invites us to celebrate the wideness of God’s mercy and to see His redemptive work as embracing every tribe, tongue, and nation.

In conclusion, these psalms present a profound message of longing, redemption, and divine restoration. Whether contemplating the personal pursuit of God’s presence, reflecting on the fleeting nature of earthly wealth, or rejoicing in the promises of God’s eternal kingdom, these psalms offer timeless truths. They remind us that while we may experience trials and sorrows, God is faithful to hear our prayers and deliver us according to His perfect will. As we meditate on these psalms, we are called to seek God’s presence with fervent longing, embrace His redeeming love, and look forward to the day when His kingdom will be fully established and all things will be made new. Through this journey of reflection, may we find both challenge and comfort, strengthening our faith and hope in the One who reigns forever.