Psalms 143

1 David adversus Goliad benedictus Dominus Deus meus qui docet manus meas ad proelium digitos meos ad bellum

2 misericordia mea et refugium meum susceptor meus et liberator meus protector meus et in eo speravi qui subdis populum meum sub me

3 Domine quid est homo quia innotuisti ei aut filius hominis quia reputas eum

4 homo vanitati similis factus est dies eius sicut umbra praetereunt

5 Domine inclina caelos tuos et descende tange montes et fumigabunt

6 fulgora coruscationem et dissipabis eos emitte sagittas tuas et conturbabis eos

7 emitte manum tuam de alto eripe me et libera me de aquis multis de manu filiorum alienorum

8 quorum os locutum est vanitatem et dextera eorum dextera iniquitatis

9 Deus canticum novum cantabo tibi in psalterio decacordo psallam tibi

10 qui das salutem regibus qui redimit David servum suum de gladio maligno

11 eripe me et eripe me de manu filiorum alienigenarum quorum os locutum est vanitatem et dextera eorum dextera iniquitatis

12 quorum filii sicut novella plantationis in iuventute sua filiae eorum conpositae circumornatae ut similitudo templi

13 promptuaria eorum plena eructantia ex hoc in illud oves eorum fetosae abundantes in egressibus suis

14 boves eorum crassi non est ruina maceriae neque transitus neque clamor in plateis eorum

15 beatum dixerunt populum cui haec sunt beatus populus cuius Dominus Deus eius

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.

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.