The text: Psalm 43
The psalm is full of cries to God. They seek God to assure the psalmist that all is well. Probably not quite so – those against us are still about and scheming to injure and trap us scron and laugh at our downfall. But the psalmist is not questionning God’s faithfulness. He is sure of that, and he is even confident he can call on God to cause harm to the ways of the wicked.
Such a position, of assurance of God in desparate times, is what many find ourselves in. Sometimes, we wonder if this is the status quo or a journey to something else: peace, bliss and free of care.
It’s not the theme in the psalm, but the psalmist is not complaining that the here and now is wrong or burdensome; well, to some extent, those are probably fitting words to describe where he is. But his focus is on God, he who saves, provides and knows the best for us.
So perhaps this delicate balance of fairly ok life amidst potential threats and harms from those against us is the status quo. We should take the moment to absorb all the good things from God: why he lets us freedom and yet protects us. In that freedom we can ask ourselves where God has put us to not only not cause harm to others but to contribute to God’s intention that we say, think and work for the best of others.
The music: Psalm 43
Despite what sounds like a plea to God, as above, I believe the tone of this psalm is a vindicated assurance. I began it as a hymn; however, the text opens up room for antiphonal singing, and so this became an anthem.
I chose the key of A as I wanted some melodic inflexion that goes up to E.
I wanted the music to go steadily, with some surprises and a major shift in the harmany at the close of each verse, from E to G to C#m on E, and ending on A.
Altogether, the piece feels like being sung in one breath except before the last phrase, a pause catches our attention, for the words that God will defend our cause.
A paraphrase
We are on the same side, O God!
All day I am facing people who are against you, help and strengthen me!
You are my protector and a safe zone.
But sometimes it feels like you have abandoned me.
Why do I feel like I am going aimlessly in suffering,
Without a way out from their discrimination?
Show me the way Lord, your light and your truth will guide me:
To worship you and to allow you work in and through me.
Worshipping you is the source of all my joy.
I will praise you with the best gifts and talents you have given me.
And again, a sense of doom and gloom descends on me,
Feeling discouraged, sad, disheartened, defeated.
No, God has saved me and given me hope.
Even in grief and pain, I will praise God,
He is my Saviour. He is my God!