Psalms 143:3

3 The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead.

Psalms 143:3 in Other Translations

3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.

3 For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.

3 My enemy has chased me. He has knocked me to the ground and forces me to live in darkness like those in the grave.

3 The enemy hunted me down; he kicked me and stomped me within an inch of my life. He put me in a black hole, buried me like a corpse in that dungeon.

3 For the enemy has pursued me, crushing me to the ground, making me live in darkness like those long dead.

Psalms 143:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 143:3

For the enemy hath persecuted my soul
Which is to be connected with ( Psalms 143:1 ) ; and is a reason why he desires his prayer might be answered, seeing his enemy, either Saul, or Absalom his own son, persecuted him, or pursued him in order to take away his soul, or life; or Satan, the enemy and avenger, who goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour; or persecuting men, who are his emissaries and instruments, whom he instigates to persecute the Lord's people, and employs them therein; he hath smitten my life down to the ground:
brought him into a low, mean, and abject state, and near to death; had with a blow struck him to the ground, and left him wallowing in the mire and dirt, just ready to expire. The phrase is expressive of a very distressing state and condition. Some render it "my company" ^F18; meaning the men that were with him, his soldiers, who were reduced to a low condition with him, and greatly enfeebled and dispirited; he hath made me to dwell in darkness:
in the sides of the cave, as Kimchi; see ( 2 Samuel 24:3 ) ; or in great affliction of body and mind, frequently signified by darkness, as prosperity is by light; he was not only obliged by his enemy to hide himself in woods and wildernesses, and in caves and dens, but was filled with gloomy apprehensions of things, ( Psalms 88:6 ) ; as those that have been long dead;
or "of old" ^F19, an age or two ago, who are out of mind and forgotten, and of whom there is no hope of their coming to life again until the resurrection; or who are "dead for ever" ^F20; will remain so till that time comes; signifying hereby his hopeless, helpless, and forlorn state and condition; see ( Psalms 31:12 ) ( Psalms 88:4 Psalms 88:5 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F18 (ytyx) "catervam meam", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.
F19 (Mlwe) "olim", Tigurine version, Vatablus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius.
F20 So Syriac and Arabic versions.

Psalms 143:3 In-Context

1 LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.

2 Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you.

3 The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead.

4 So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed.

5 I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.

Cross References

• 1. S Psalms 107:10
• 2. Lamentations 3:6