Psalm 143

Hear, remember, deliver, and quicken
.
Text
Explanation
An appeal for deliverance and an expression of confidence
 1 ¶ <<A Psalm of David.>> Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
 2  And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
  1 - Thy righteousness Compare "for thy name's sake" v11.
  2 - No man ... justified Humans are often recognized by God as righteous ge1823. But compared to God, all are unrighteous dependent on the robe of Christ's righteousness. jb0902.
  2 Enter not into judgment with thy servant; for no man living is righteous before thee. (RSV)
.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.
 4  Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
  3 - Darkness ... dead People with near-death experiences report entering a tunnel with light at the end. I see these as impressions from the evil one. Christ is not in the picture. Here, death is compared to darkness. So it is not a gateway to heaven or hell. The expression "outer darkness" may then be understood as the second death mt0811f, re2006, ps05613.
 5  I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
 6  I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.
This is what to do when discouraged.
7 ¶ Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
.8  Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
 9  Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
.10  Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

 7-12 - To know the way "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." (Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary).
  9 - Deliver me See on ps05901.
  9 - I flee Or "I have fled to thee for refuge!" (RSV) ps04601.
Image © GoodSalt
 11  Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.
.12  And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.
  11 - For thy name's sake That is, for the Lord's glory. See ps03103.
  12 - Mercy ... cut off The final destruction of the wicked is merciful to them. They would not be happy in a pure world re2015. But here justice for the wicked is mercy for the righteous. As God's servants, we are called on to turn the other cheek, to give the cloke also mt0539. One day, when God's justice is clear to all, including the wicked, they will be destroyed and the righteous will live eternally in peace and joy.
__________________________________
..
Previous
Next
Another psalm
Commentary home
Contact