1 A Psalm of David. O Jehovah, hear my prayer, Give ear unto my supplications, In Thy faithfulness answer me -- in Thy righteousness.
In Thy righteousness Thou dost deliver me, And dost cause me to escape, Incline unto me Thine ear, and save me.
To the Overseer. -- A Psalm of David. In Thee, O Jehovah, I have trusted, Let me not be ashamed to the age, In Thy righteousness deliver me.
if we may confess our sins, stedfast He is and righteous that He may forgive us the sins, and may cleanse us from every unrighteousness;
`And now, Jehovah God, the word which Thou hast spoken concerning Thy servant, and concerning his house, establish unto the age, and do as Thou hast spoken;
An instruction, by Ethan the Ezrahite. Of the kind acts of Jehovah, to the age I sing, To all generations I make known Thy faithfulness with my mouth, For I said, `To the age is kindness built, The heavens! Thou dost establish Thy faithfulness in them.'
`O Lord, according to all Thy righteous acts, let turn back, I pray Thee, Thine anger and Thy fury from Thy city Jerusalem, Thy holy mount, for by our sins, and by the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Thy people `are' for a reproach to all our neighbours;
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.