Psalm 143

1 Ein Psalm Davids. HERR, erhöre mein Gebet, vernimm mein Flehen um deiner Wahrheit willen, erhöre mich um deiner Gerechtigkeit willen

2 und gehe nicht ins Gericht mit deinem Knechte; denn vor dir ist kein Lebendiger gerecht.

3 Denn der Feind verfolgt meine Seele und schlägt mein Leben zu Boden; er legt mich ins Finstere wie die, so längst tot sind.

4 Und mein Geist ist in mir geängstet; mein Herz ist mir in meinem Leibe verzehrt.

5 Ich gedenke an die vorigen Zeiten; ich rede von allen deinen Taten und sage von den Werken deiner Hände.

6 Ich breite meine Hände aus zu dir; meine Seele dürstet nach dir wie ein dürres Land. (Sela.)

7 HERR, erhöre mich bald, mein Geist vergeht; verbirg dein Antlitz nicht von mir, daß ich nicht gleich werde denen, die in die Grube fahren.

8 Laß mich frühe hören deine Gnade; denn ich hoffe auf dich. Tue mir kund den Weg, darauf ich gehen soll; denn mich verlangt nach dir.

9 Errette mich, mein Gott, von meinen Feinden; zu dir habe ich Zuflucht.

10 Lehre mich tun nach deinem Wohlgefallen, denn du bist mein Gott; dein guter Geist führe mich auf ebener Bahn.

11 HERR, erquicke mich um deines Namens willen; führe meine Seele aus der Not um deiner Gerechtigkeit willen

12 und verstöre meine Feinde um deiner Güte willen und bringe alle um, die meine Seele ängsten; 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.