Psalms 143:9

9 Deliver me from my enemies, LORD! I seek protection from you.

Psalms 143:9 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 143:9

Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies
Either Saul and his courtiers, or Absalom and the conspirators along with him; who were many, and lively and strong, stronger than he; and therefore God only could deliver him, and to him he sought for it, and not to men; and so deliverance from spiritual enemies is only from the Lord;

I flee unto thee to hide me;
from their rage and fury; who was the only asylum or place of refuge for him, where he could be safe. It may be rendered, "with thee have I hid" F25; that is, myself: so Arama gives the sense,

``I have hid myself with thee.''

Jarchi, Aben Ezra, and Kimchi, interpret it to this purpose,

``I have hid my affairs, my straits and troubles, my difficulties and necessities, from men; and have revealed them unto thee, who alone can save.''

The Targum is,

``I have appointed thy Word to be (my) Redeemer.''


FOOTNOTES:

F25 (ytok Kyla) "ad te abscondi me", Montanus; "apud te", Tigurine version; "ad te texi", Cocceius, Michaelis.

Psalms 143:9 In-Context

7 Answer me, LORD—and quickly! My breath is fading. Don't hide your face from me or I'll be like those going down to the pit!
8 Tell me all about your faithful love come morning time, because I trust you. Show me the way I should go, because I offer my life up to you.
9 Deliver me from my enemies, LORD! I seek protection from you.
10 Teach me to do what pleases you, because you are my God. Guide me by your good spirit into good land.
11 Make me live again, LORD, for your name's sake. Bring me out of distress because of your righteousness.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Heb uncertain; MT to you I have hidden
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