The psalmists who wrote Psa. 42—44 were lovers of God in their captivity (Psa. 42:6). They were panting for God, thirsting for God (Psa. 42:1-2), and desiring to return to Jerusalem, to go to Mount Zion to reach the altar. Then they could enter into the temple to meet God their exceeding joy. This is why they prayed that God would give them the light and the truth (v. 3) that they might know how to be released from their captivity and return to God’s dwelling place.
cf. John 1:17
cf. John 1:4
Light and truth (reality) are not separate things but are two aspects of one thing. Truth is the shining of light, and light is the source of truth (1 John 1:5-6 and note 1 John 1:66, final par.). When the light shines on us, we receive the truth, the reality, and when we go to God in fellowship, we are in the light. According to this verse the divine light and the divine truth lead God’s captive saints to God’s holy mountain and His tabernacles, which typify the local churches. Both light and truth are in the church (1 Tim. 3:15).
Or, Judge me. Psalms 42 and 43 were probably composed as one psalm originally.
