Salmos 143

Salmo de David.

1 Escucha, SEÑOR, mi oración;atiende a mi súplica.Por tu fidelidad y tu justicia,respóndeme.

2 No lleves a juicio a tu siervo,pues ante ti nadie puede alegar inocencia.

3 El enemigo atenta contra mi vida:quiere hacerme morder el polvo.Me obliga a vivir en las tinieblas,como los que murieron hace tiempo.

4 Ya no me queda aliento;dentro de mí siento paralizado el corazón.

5 Traigo a la memoria los tiempos de antaño:medito en todas tus proezas,considero las obras de tus manos.

6 Hacia ti extiendo las manos;me haces falta, como el agua a la tierra seca. Selah

7 Respóndeme pronto, SEÑOR,que el aliento se me escapa.No escondas de mí tu rostro,o seré como los que bajan a la fosa.

8 Por la mañana hazme saber de tu gran amor,porque en ti he puesto mi confianza.Señálame el camino que debo seguir,porque a ti elevo mi alma.

9 SEÑOR, líbrame de mis enemigos,porque en ti busco refugio.

10 Enséñame a hacer tu voluntad,porque tú eres mi Dios.Que tu buen Espíritu me guíepor un terreno sin obstáculos.

11 Por tu nombre, SEÑOR, dame vida;por tu justicia, sácame de este aprieto.

12 Por tu gran amor, destruye a mis enemigos;acaba con todos mis adversarios.¡Yo soy tu siervo!

Salmos 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.