Psalm 143:6

6 I spread forth my hands to thee; my soul thirsts for thee, as a dry land. Pause.

Psalm 143:6 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 143:6

I stretch forth my hands unto thee
In prayer, as the Targum adds; for this is a prayer gesture, ( 1 Kings 8:38 ) ( Isaiah 1:15 ) ; both hands were stretched forth, earnestly imploring help, and ready to receive and embrace every blessing bestowed with thankfulness;

my soul [thirsteth] after thee as a thirsty land.
As a dry land, which wants water, gapes, and as it were thirsts for rain, which is very refreshing to it; so his soul thirsted after God, after his word and ordinances, after communion with him in them, after his grace and fresh supplies of it; particularly after pardoning grace and mercy, after the coming of Christ, and the blessings of grace by him; as reconciliation, atonement, righteousness, and salvation; after more knowledge of God and Christ, and divine truths; and after the enjoyment of them in heaven to all eternity. Some copies read, "in a thirsty land" ^F24, and so some versions; see ( Psalms 42:1 Psalms 42:2 ) ( 63:1 ) ( 84:2 ) .

Selah; on this word, (See Gill on Psalms 3:2).

---

FOOTNOTES:

F24 (Urab) Cod. Heb. Bomberg. Venet. "in terra siticulosa", Musculus, Tarnovius.

Psalm 143:6 In-Context

4 Therefore my spirit was grieved in me; my heart was troubled within me.

5 I remembered the days of old; and I meditated on all thy doings: yea, I meditated on the works of thine hands.

6 I spread forth my hands to thee; my soul thirsts for thee, as a dry land. Pause.

7 Hear me speedily, O Lord; my spirit has failed; turn not away thy face from me, else I shall be like to them that go down to the pit.

8 Cause me to hear thy mercy in the morning; for I have hoped in thee; make known to me, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk; for I have lifted up my soul to thee.