Psalms 143

Psalm 143

1

A psalm of David.

1 Listen to my prayer, LORD! Because of your faithfulness, hear my requests for mercy! Because of your righteousness, answer me!

2 Please don't bring your servant to judgment, because no living thing is righteous before you.

3 The enemy is chasing me, crushing my life in the dirt, forcing me to live in the dark like those who've been dead forever.

4 My spirit is weak inside me— inside, my mind is numb.

5 I remember the days long past; I meditate on all your deeds; I contemplate your handiwork.

6 I stretch out my hands to you; my whole being is like dry dirt, thirsting for you. Selah

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.

12 Wipe out my enemies because of your faithful love. Destroy everyone who attacks me, because I am your servant.

Psalms 143 Commentary

Chapter 143

David complains of his enemies and distresses. (1-6) He prays for comfort, guidance, and deliverance. (7-12)

Verses 1-6 We have no righteousness of our own to plead, therefore must plead God's righteousness, and the word of promise which he has freely given us, and caused us to hope in. David, before he prays for the removal of his trouble, prays for the pardon of his sin, and depends upon mercy alone for it. He bemoans the weight upon his mind from outward troubles. But he looks back, and remembers God's former appearance for his afflicted people, and for him in particular. He looks round, and notices the works of God. The more we consider the power of God, the less we shall fear the face or force of man. He looks up with earnest desires towards God and his favour. This is the best course we can take, when our spirits are overwhelmed. The believer will not forget, that in his best actions he is a sinner. Meditation and prayer will recover us from distresses; and then the mourning soul strives to return to the Lord as the infant stretches out its hands to the indulgent mother, and thirsts for his consolations as the parched ground for refreshing rain.

Verses 7-12 David prays that God would be well pleased with him, and let him know that he was so. He pleads the wretchedness of his case, if God withdrew from him. But the night of distress and discouragement shall end in a morning of consolation and praise. He prays that he might be enlightened with the knowledge of God's will; and this is the first work of the Spirit. A good man does not ask the way in which is the most pleasant walking, but what is the right way. Not only show me what thy will is, but teach me how to do it. Those who have the Lord for their God, have his Spirit for their Guide; they are led by the Spirit. He prays that he might be enlivened to do God's will. But we should especially seek the destruction of our sins, our worst enemies, that we may be devotedly God's servants.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or my soul; also in 143:6, 8, 11-12
• [b]. Heb lacks thirsting.
• [c]. Heb uncertain; MT to you I have hidden

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 143

\\<>\\. This psalm was composed by David when he fled from Absalom his son, according to the title of it in Apollinarius, the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Ethiopic, and Arabic versions; so R. Obadiah Gaon: and of the same opinion is Theodoret and others. The sense he had of his sins, and his deprecating God's entering into judgment with him for them, seems to confirm it; affliction from his own family for them being threatened him, 2Sa 12:9-11; though Kimchi thinks it was written on the same account as the former, and at the same time, namely, when he was persecuted by Saul; and what is said in Ps 142:2,4, seems to agree with it. The Syriac inscription is, ``when the Edomites came against him;'' which is very foreign, since these were subdued by him.