Salmi 143

1 Salmo di Davide. O Eterno, ascolta la mia preghiera, porgi l’orecchio alle mie supplicazioni; nella tua fedeltà e nella tua giustizia, rispondimi,

2 e non venire a giudicio col tuo servitore, perché nessun vivente sarà trovato giusto nel tuo cospetto.

3 Poiché il nemico perseguita l’anima mia; egli calpesta al suolo la mia vita; mi fa abitare in luoghi tenebrosi come quelli che son morti già da lungo tempo.

4 Il mio spirito è abbattuto in me, il mio cuore è tutto smarrito dentro di me.

5 Io mi ricordo dei giorni antichi; io medito tutti i tuoi fatti; io rifletto sull’opera delle tue mani.

6 Io stendo le mie mani verso te; l’anima mia è assetata di te come terra asciutta. Sela.

7 Affrettati a rispondermi, o Eterno; lo spirito mio vien meno; non nascondere da me la tua faccia, che talora io non diventi simile a quelli che scendono nella fossa.

8 Fammi sentire la mattina la tua benignità, poiché in te mi confido; fammi conoscer la via per la quale devo camminare, poiché io elevo l’anima mia a te.

9 Liberami dai miei nemici, o Eterno; io cerco rifugio presso di te.

10 Insegnami a far la tua volontà, poiché tu sei il mio Dio; il tuo buono Spirito mi guidi in terra piana.

11 O Eterno, vivificami, per amor del tuo nome; nella tua giustizia, ritrai l’anima mia dalla distretta!

12 E nella tua benignità distruggi i miei nemici, e fa’ perire tutti quelli che affliggono l’anima mia; perché io son tuo servitore.

Salmi 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.

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.