Psalm 143:9

9 Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; In You I take shelter.

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.''

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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 speedily, O Lord; My spirit fails! Do not hide Your face from me, Lest I be like those who go down into the pit.

8 Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.

9 Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; In You I take shelter.

10 Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.

11 Revive me, O Lord, for Your name's sake! For Your righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.

Footnotes

• [a] Septuagint and Vulgate read To You I flee.