Psalm 143:9

9 ¹Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord! I have fled to you for refuge. ^[a]

Psalm 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.

Psalm 143:9 In-Context

7 Answer me quickly, O Lord! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit.

8 Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

9 Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord! I have fled to you for refuge.

10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

11 For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!

Cross References

• 1. 143:9 Ps. 59:1; 142:6

Footnotes

• [a] 143:9 One Hebrew manuscript, Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts 'To you I have covered'