Tehillim 143:6

6 I stretch forth my hands unto Thee; my nefesh thirsteth after Thee, like an eretz ayefah (a parched, thirsty land). Selah.

Tehillim 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).

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Tehillim 143:6 In-Context

4 Therefore is my ruach become faint within me; my lev within me is desolate.

5 I remember yamim mikedem (days of old), I meditate on all Thy works; I muse on the ma’aseh (work) of Thy hands.

6 I stretch forth my hands unto Thee; my nefesh thirsteth after Thee, like an eretz ayefah (a parched, thirsty land). Selah.

7 Hear me speedily, Hashem; my ruach faileth; hide not Thy face from me, lest I be like those that go down into the bor (pit).

8 Cause me to hear Thy chesed in the boker; for in Thee do I trust; cause me to know the Derech wherein I should walk; for I lift up my nefesh unto Thee.