1 [[A Psalm H4210 of David.]] H1732 Hear H8085 my prayer, H8605 O LORD, H3068 give ear H238 to my supplications: H8469 in thy faithfulness H530 answer H6030 me, and in thy righteousness. H6666
2 And enter H935 not into judgment H4941 with thy servant: H5650 for in thy sight H6440 shall no man living H2416 be justified. H6663
3 For the enemy H341 hath persecuted H7291 my soul; H5315 he hath smitten H1792 my life H2416 down H1792 to the ground; H776 he hath made me to dwell H3427 in darkness, H4285 as those that have been long H5769 dead. H4191
4 Therefore is my spirit H7307 overwhelmed H5848 within me; my heart H3820 within H8432 me is desolate. H8074
5 I remember H2142 the days H3117 of old; H6924 I meditate H1897 on all thy works; H6467 I muse H7878 on the work H4639 of thy hands. H3027
6 I stretch forth H6566 my hands H3027 unto thee: my soul H5315 thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty H5889 land. H776 Selah. H5542
7 Hear H6030 me speedily, H4118 O LORD: H3068 my spirit H7307 faileth: H3615 hide H5641 not thy face H6440 from me, lest I be like H4911 unto them that go down H3381 into the pit. H953
8 Cause me to hear H8085 thy lovingkindness H2617 in the morning; H1242 for in thee do I trust: H982 cause me to know H3045 the way H1870 wherein H2098 I should walk; H3212 for I lift up H5375 my soul H5315 unto thee.
9 Deliver H5337 me, O LORD, H3068 from mine enemies: H341 I flee unto thee to hide H3680 me.
10 Teach H3925 me to do H6213 thy will; H7522 for thou art my God: H430 thy spirit H7307 is good; H2896 lead H5148 me into the land H776 of uprightness. H4334
11 Quicken H2421 me, O LORD, H3068 for thy name's H8034 sake: for thy righteousness' H6666 sake bring H3318 my soul H5315 out of trouble. H6869
12 And of thy mercy H2617 cut off H6789 mine enemies, H341 and destroy H6 all them that afflict H6887 my soul: H5315 for I am thy servant. H5650
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 143
Commentary on Psalms 143 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 143
Ps 143:1-12. In structure and style, like the preceding (Psalms 104-142), this Psalm is clearly evinced to be David's. It is a prayer for pardon, and for relief from enemies; afflictions, as usual, producing confession and penitence.
1. in thy faithfulness … and … righteousness—or, God's regard to the claims which He has permitted His people to make in His covenant.
2. enter … judgment—deal not in strict justice.
shall no … justified—or, "is no man justified," or "innocent" (Job 14:3; Ro 3:20).
3, 4. The exciting reason for his prayer—his afflictions—led to confession as just made: he now makes the complaint.
as those that have been long dead—deprived of life's comforts (compare Ps 40:15; 88:3-6).
5, 6. The distress is aggravated by the contrast of former comfort (Ps 22:3-5), for whose return he longs.
a thirsty land—which needs rain, as did his spirit God's gracious visits (Ps 28:1; 89:17).
7. spirit faileth—is exhausted.
8. (Compare Ps 25:1-4; 59:16).
the way … walk—that is, the way of safety and righteousness (Ps 142:3-6).
9. (Compare Ps 31:15-20).
10. (Compare Ps 5:8; 27:11).
land of uprightness—literally, "an even land" (Ps 26:12).
11. (Compare Ps 23:3; 119:156).
12. God's mercy to His people is often wrath to His and their enemies (compare Ps 31:17).
thy servant—as chosen to be such, entitled to divine regard.