Psalms 143:6

6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul, as a parched land, [thirsteth] after thee. Selah.

Psalms 143:6 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 143:6

I stretch forth my hands unto thee
In prayer, as the Targum adds; for this is a prayer gesture, ( 1 Kings 8:38 ) ( Isaiah 1:15 ) ; both hands were stretched forth, earnestly imploring help, and ready to receive and embrace every blessing bestowed with thankfulness;

my soul [thirsteth] after thee as a thirsty land.
As a dry land, which wants water, gapes, and as it were thirsts for rain, which is very refreshing to it; so his soul thirsted after God, after his word and ordinances, after communion with him in them, after his grace and fresh supplies of it; particularly after pardoning grace and mercy, after the coming of Christ, and the blessings of grace by him; as reconciliation, atonement, righteousness, and salvation; after more knowledge of God and Christ, and divine truths; and after the enjoyment of them in heaven to all eternity. Some copies read, "in a thirsty land" ^F24, and so some versions; see ( Psalms 42:1 Psalms 42:2 ) ( 63:1 ) ( 84:2 ) .

Selah; on this word, (See Gill on Psalms 3:2).

---

FOOTNOTES:

F24 (Urab) Cod. Heb. Bomberg. Venet. "in terra siticulosa", Musculus, Tarnovius.

Psalms 143:6 In-Context

4 And my spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.

5 I remember the days of old: I meditate on all thy doing; I muse on the work of thy hands.

6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul, as a parched land, [thirsteth] after thee. Selah.

7 Answer me speedily, O Jehovah; my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, or I shall be like unto them that go down into the pit.

8 Cause me to hear thy loving-kindness in the morning, for in thee do I confide; make me to know the way wherein I should walk, for unto thee do I lift up my soul.