The Bible: Psalms Chapter 143: with Audio and Commentary.

Version: World English Bible.

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Psalms Chapter 143 A Psalm by David.

1 Hear my prayer, LORD. Listen to my petitions. In your faithfulness and righteousness, relieve me.

2 Don't enter into judgement with your servant, for in your sight no man living is righteous.

3 For the enemy pursues my soul. He has struck my life down to the ground. He has made me live in dark places, as those who have been long dead.

4 Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me. My heart within me is desolate.

5 I remember the days of old. I meditate on all your doings. I contemplate the work of your hands.

6 I spread out my hands to you. My soul thirsts for you, like a parched land. Selah.

7 Hurry to answer me, LORD. My spirit fails. Don't hide your face from me, so that I don't become like those who go down into the pit.

8 Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning, for I trust in you. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you.

9 Deliver me, LORD, from my enemies. I flee to you to hide me.

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, LORD, for your name's sake. In your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble.

12 In your loving kindness, cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul, for I am your servant.

Footnotes

Version: World English Bible

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Psalms Chapter 143 A Psalm by David. Guide

This is the last of the four psalms, and both in respect of the sense of helplessness and of assurance in God, it is more vivid and striking than either of them. So far as human situation is concerned, it is a cry of despair, and a terrible one indeed. The life is smitten, the spirit is overwhelmed, and the whole complaint ends with a statement, "My heart within me is desolate." That final word "desolate" has in it the sob of an unillumined sea. Yet the psalm opens with an earnest cry to Jehovah, and after the declaration of need, it to the end a determined act of faith.

In the situation of complete helplessness the soul prepares for its prayer, and the words which indicate the method of preparation are interesting. "I remember ... I meditate ... I muse." The issue of this is immediately declared, "I spread forth my hands unto Thee." The earnestness of the soul is manifested in the urgent petitions which follow. "Make haste ... hide not Thy face ... cause me to hear ... cause me to know ... deliver me ... teach me ... quicken me." Personal consecration in this endeavour to lay hold upon the infinite resource is manifest in the affirmations. "In Thee do I trust ... I life up my soul unto Thee ... I flee unto Thee to hide me," and finally "I am Thy servant." Through all the urgency and the earnestness there is also manifest an unshaken confidence. "Thou art my God" is the central word around which all the others gather.

From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.

Psalms Chapter 143 Commentary

Chapter Outline

  1. David complains of his enemies and distresses. -- (1-6)
  2. 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.

From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.