Psalms 143:9

9 (142-9) Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, to thee have I fled:

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 (142-7) Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit hath fainted away. Turn not away thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
8 (142-8) Cause me to hear thy mercy in the morning; for in thee have I hoped. Make the way known to me, wherein I should walk: for I have lifted up my soul to thee.
9 (142-9) Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, to thee have I fled:
10 (142-10) Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God. Thy good spirit shall lead me into the right land:
11 (142-11) for thy name’s sake, O Lord, thou wilt quicken me in thy justice. Thou wilt bring my soul out of trouble:
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