Psalm 143

1 Ein Psalm. Von David. Jehova! Höre mein Gebet, nimm zu Ohren mein Flehen; erhöre mich in deiner Treue, in deiner Gerechtigkeit!

2 Und gehe nicht ins Gericht mit deinem Knechte! Denn vor dir ist kein Lebendiger gerecht.

3 Denn der Feind verfolgt meine Seele, zertritt zur Erde mein Leben, macht mich wohnen in Finsternissen gleich den Toten der Urzeit.

4 Und mein Geist ermattet in mir, mein Herz ist betäubt in meinem Innern.

5 Ich gedenke der Tage der Vorzeit, überlege all dein Tun; ich sinne über das Werk deiner Hände.

6 Zu dir breite ich meine Hände aus; gleich einem lechzenden Lande lechzt meine Seele nach dir. (Sela.)

7 Eilends erhöre mich, Jehova! Es verschmachtet mein Geist. Verbirg dein Angesicht nicht vor mir! Sonst werde ich denen gleich sein, die zur Grube hinabfahren.

8 Laß mich früh hören deine Güte, denn auf dich vertraue ich; tue mir kund den Weg, den ich wandeln soll, denn zu dir erhebe ich meine Seele!

9 Errette mich, Jehova, von meinen Feinden! Zu dir nehme ich meine Zuflucht.

10 Lehre mich tun dein Wohlgefallen! Denn du bist mein Gott; dein guter Geist leite mich in ebenem Lande!

11 Um deines Namens willen, Jehova, belebe mich; in deiner Gerechtigkeit führe meine Seele aus der Bedrängnis!

12 Und in deiner Güte vertilge meine Feinde, und alle Bedränger meiner Seele bringe um! Denn ich bin dein Knecht.

Psalm 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.