Psalm 43: Patience
Sometimes, we just need a reminder that the result of our efforts is worth waiting for
Psalm 43 contains two conversations: The first between the psalmist and God, and the second between the psalmist and himself. In 43:5, he asks himself why he is so depressed, even though in 43:1 he gives multiple logical reasons.
The second monologue seemed unneeded. It is understandable to be despondent when one is up against such impious and dishonest people. Moreover, he already asked God in 43:2 why he deserves to be in such a constant melancholic state. He already began imagining in 43:4 what it would be like to be happy again.
In the second part of 43:5, we see the use of the phrase hohili l’elohim, which can either be translated as “wait for God” or “have hope in God”. Both of those phrases are two sides of the same coin, which is patience.
As we know from the play “Waiting for Godot”, just because you wait for something or someone, doesn’t mean they are actually going to show up.
Patience is an act of hope, but it doesn’t work on its own. In 43:1, the psalmist unburdens himself and outsources his struggle to God, “fight my battle [for me]”. One can’t just wait for something to change by itself, but once you do what you can do, you have to be able to trust in others to make the change happen.
It is reminiscent of the story of Hannah and Eli in 1 Samuel, in which we see a similar progression. Hannah unburdens herself to God and makes a plan in 1:10-12, but is still distraught in 1:15-16, as she is accused by Eli of being drunk.
Only after Eli tells her that “God will grant you what you asked of him” in 1:17, she is comforted in 1:18. She needed to hear that there is something to wait for, to hope for. And that was the kindness she needed.
Sometimes, we just need a reminder that the result of our efforts is worth waiting for.