Psalm 43:3 kjv
O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
Psalm 43:3 nkjv
Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle.
Psalm 43:3 niv
Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.
Psalm 43:3 esv
Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!
Psalm 43:3 nlt
Send out your light and your truth;
let them guide me.
Let them lead me to your holy mountain,
to the place where you live.
Psalm 43 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Light & Truth as Attributes/Guidance | ||
| Psa 27:1 | The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? | God is the source of light and deliverance. |
| Psa 36:9 | For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. | God as the ultimate source of light and life. |
| Psa 119:105 | Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. | God's word illuminates the way of life. |
| Prov 6:23 | For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light... | God's instruction provides guiding light. |
| Isa 2:5 | O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD. | Invitation to follow God's clear revelation. |
| John 1:4-5 | In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. | Jesus as the true Light and source of life. |
| John 8:12 | I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness. | Christ as the ultimate light for humanity. |
| John 14:6 | I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father... | Jesus embodies truth and leads to life. |
| John 17:17 | Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. | God's Word as absolute truth for sanctification. |
| Eph 5:8-9 | For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. | Believers called to walk as children of light. |
| 1 John 1:5 | God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. | God's nature is pure light and holiness. |
| Divine Leading & Guidance | ||
| Psa 25:5 | Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation. | Prayer for guidance rooted in God's truth. |
| Psa 32:8 | I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel. | God promises personal instruction and guidance. |
| Psa 86:11 | Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth. | Desire to walk obediently in God's true ways. |
| Prov 3:5-6 | Trust in the LORD with all your heart... He will make straight your paths. | God directs paths when trusted wholeheartedly. |
| Isa 48:17 | I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you... | God as the divine instructor and leader. |
| Holy Hill & Dwelling Place (Presence/Worship) | ||
| Exod 25:8 | And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. | Command to build tabernacle for God's indwelling. |
| 1 Kgs 8:10-11 | ...the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD. | God's glorious presence filling Solomon's Temple. |
| Psa 2:6 | As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill. | God's chosen King established on His holy mountain. |
| Psa 68:15-16 | O mountain of God, mount of Bashan... God desired it for his dwelling. | God's special relationship with Mount Zion. |
| Heb 9:24 | For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands... | Christ entered the true, heavenly dwelling place. |
| Heb 12:22 | But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God... | Believers come to spiritual Mount Zion, heavenly Jerusalem. |
| Rev 21:3 | Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. | God's ultimate eternal dwelling with humanity. |
Psalm 43 verses
Psalm 43 3 Meaning
Psalm 43:3 is a fervent prayer for divine guidance and restoration of fellowship with God. The psalmist, likely exiled or estranged from God's presence in the Temple, yearns for God's intervention. He asks God to send forth His intrinsic attributes—light, representing revelation, clarity, and favor, and truth, signifying faithfulness, reliability, and steadfast love—to act as personal guides. The ultimate desire is to be led back to God's sacred dwelling place, specifically Mount Zion and the Temple, where divine presence and worship are experienced fully, indicating a longing for spiritual return, vindication, and communion.
Psalm 43 3 Context
Psalm 43 is intimately linked with Psalm 42, often considered its continuation, sharing themes of lament, distress, yearning for God's presence, and ending with an exhortation of hope. The psalmist is geographically separated from the sanctuary in Jerusalem, likely in exile or facing opposition that prevents access to the Temple. This separation causes deep spiritual anguish, expressed through intense thirst for God and emotional despondency. The prayer in 43:3 arises from this desperation, seeking not merely physical return but restoration of the vital spiritual connection to God found in His designated dwelling place, which signifies both direct communion and communal worship. The psalm is a personal plea amidst ungodly opposition and injustice, where the psalmist feels rejected and without the divine presence that usually brings joy and solace.
Psalm 43 3 Word analysis
- Send out (Heb. shlach, שְׁלַח): An imperative plea, signifying a request for divine action. It conveys God's active initiation in extending His attributes, not just passive allowance, to provide guidance.
- Your light (Heb. 'oreka, אוֹרְךָ): Refers to God’s divine revelation, guidance, favor, and presence. It symbolizes spiritual clarity, dispelling confusion and darkness, embodying God’s intrinsic radiant nature and enabling discernment.
- and your truth (Heb. 'amitteka, אֲמִתֶּךָ): God’s emet denotes His unwavering faithfulness, reliability, and covenant fidelity. It signifies God's steadfast character, providing assurance that His guidance is always dependable and righteous. It's intrinsically linked with His light, making the path trustworthy.
- let them lead me (Heb. hemmah yanchuni, הֵמָּה יַנְחוּנִי): A request for light and truth to serve as personal guides. The verb nachah (to lead) implies a gentle but firm divine direction, similar to a shepherd leading, ensuring security and proper path.
- let them bring me (Heb. yevia'uni, יְבִיאוּנִי): This imperative reinforces the guidance, focusing on the desired outcome of arrival. It implies a complete and successful restoration to the destination, beyond just showing the way.
- to your holy hill (Heb. har kodsheka, הַר קָדְשֶׁךָ): Primarily identifies Mount Zion in Jerusalem, the location of the Temple. It symbolizes God’s sacred presence, His sovereign rule, and the center of Israel's worship, representing not just a physical place but a realm of divine nearness.
- and to your dwelling place (Heb. mishk'noteyka, מִשְׁכְּנוֹתֶיךָ): Literally "your tabernacles" or "your dwellings" (plural). While encompassing the physical Temple complex, it extends metaphorically to the very intimate, multi-faceted presence of God. It represents the profound spiritual communion and security found within the sphere of His direct abode.
Psalm 43 3 Bonus section
The positioning of Psalm 43:3 is crucial within the psalm’s structure, serving as the concrete petition that paves the way for the psalmist's renewed hope expressed in the familiar refrain of Ps 42:5, 11 and Ps 43:5. This verse demonstrates the means by which the lament will be overcome and joy restored, indicating a theological progression where hopeful affirmation follows fervent petition based on God's character. Furthermore, the yearning for God's "holy hill" and "dwelling place" can be understood on an eschatological level, pointing toward the believer's ultimate desire to dwell eternally in God’s direct presence, specifically the New Jerusalem (Heb 12:22-24; Rev 21:3-4). This expands the verse's meaning beyond its immediate historical context, providing comfort and purpose for the Christian's entire spiritual journey towards everlasting communion with God.
Psalm 43 3 Commentary
Psalm 43:3 presents a profound plea for divine intervention amidst spiritual distress. The psalmist acknowledges that God’s intrinsic qualities – His illuminating "light" and unwavering "truth" – are the only reliable guides. "Light" here speaks of divine revelation that brings understanding and comfort, dispelling confusion and sorrow. "Truth" signifies God's absolute faithfulness and reliability, guaranteeing that His guidance will lead to a true and secure outcome. Together, they are implored to actively lead the psalmist back to God's "holy hill" and "dwelling place." These locations transcend mere geography; they symbolize a return to direct, unhindered communion with God, the joy of communal worship, and the security found solely in His presence. This verse serves as a powerful reminder for believers to seek guidance directly from God's character and Word when facing life's complexities or spiritual barrenness, trusting that He will indeed lead them into His sustaining presence. For instance, when overwhelmed by moral confusion or feelings of spiritual distance, one might pray for God's Word (light) and Holy Spirit (truth) to reorient and restore one's connection and direction.