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
I am counted H2803 with them that go down H3381 into the pit: H953 I am as a man H1397 that hath no strength: H353 Free H2670 among the dead, H4191 like the slain H2491 that lie H7901 in the grave, H6913 whom thou rememberest H2142 no more: and they are cut off H1504 from thy hand. H3027 Thou hast laid H7896 me in the lowest H8482 pit, H953 in darkness, H4285 in the deeps. H4688
[[Shiggaion H7692 of David, H1732 which he sang H7891 unto the LORD, H3068 concerning the words H1697 of Cush H3568 the Benjamite.]] H1121 H1145 O LORD H3068 my God, H430 in thee do I put my trust: H2620 save H3467 me from all them that persecute H7291 me, and deliver H5337 me: Lest he tear H2963 my soul H5315 like a lion, H738 rending it in pieces, H6561 while there is none to deliver. H5337
From H6440 the wicked H7563 that H2098 oppress H7703 me, from my deadly H5315 enemies, H341 who compass me about. H5362 They are inclosed H5462 in their own fat: H2459 with their mouth H6310 they speak H1696 proudly. H1348 They have now compassed H5437 us in our steps: H838 they have set H7896 their eyes H5869 bowing down H5186 to the earth; H776 Like H1825 as a lion H738 that is greedy H3700 of his prey, H2963 and as it were a young lion H3715 lurking H3427 in secret places. H4565 Arise, H6965 O LORD, H3068 disappoint H6923 him, H6440 cast him down: H3766 deliver H6403 my soul H5315 from the wicked, H7563 which is thy sword: H2719
I am forgotten H7911 as a dead man H4191 out of mind: H3820 I am like a broken H6 vessel. H3627 For I have heard H8085 the slander H1681 of many: H7227 fear H4032 was on every side: H5439 while they took counsel H3245 together H3162 against me, they devised H2161 to take away H3947 my life. H5315
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.