Psalms 143 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Psalm 143

My Soul Thirsts for You

A Psalm of David.

143:1   Hear my prayer, O LORD;
    give ear to my pleas for mercy!
    In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!
2   Enter not into judgment with your servant,
    for no one living is righteous before you.
3   For the enemy has pursued my soul;
    he has crushed my life to the ground;
    he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.
4   Therefore my spirit faints within me;
    my heart within me is appalled.
5   I remember the days of old;
    I meditate on all that you have done;
    I ponder the work of your hands.
6   I stretch out my hands to you;
    my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah
7   Answer me quickly, O LORD!
    My spirit fails!
  Hide not your face from me,
    lest I be like those who go down to the pit.
8   Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
    for in you I trust.
  Make me know the way I should go,
    for to you I lift up my soul.
9   Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD!
    I have fled to you for refuge.¹
10   Teach me to do your will,
    for you are my God!
  Let your good Spirit lead me
    on level ground!
11   For your name’s sake, O LORD, preserve my life!
    In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!
12   And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies,
    and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul,
    for I am your servant.

Footnotes

[1] 143:9 One Hebrew manuscript, Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts To you I have covered

Commentary

Similar to Psalms 140-142; confidence in God, expressed in prayer.

v1: God is faithful and righteous; we have confidence in His character. Since He will hear our prayers, we have confidence to ask.

v2: No reliance upon personal goodness. We have no lever with which to demand a blessing. We therefore need God to act in grace not in judgment (Ps 130.3).

v3-4: In desperate circumstances (Ps 130.1; 142.3) we have confidence in His power.

v5-6: Whatever the circumstances we must turn to the Lord, both in reality and with commitment. We must have a deep hunger for God, yet not a dissatisfaction with Him. Our confidence is that He does not change.

v7-8: Dependence on God to answer speedily. The Lord alone knows the urgency of the situation; we therefore have confidence in His timing. We find we may panic if our situation is not swiftly resolved; but the Lord knows best, and His timing is perfect.

v9-10: Dependence upon God and a commitment to do His will. When we pray "rescue me" we should also pray "teach me" and "lead me." God will lead us in paths of righteousness and bring us into a good and pleasant land.

v11-12: Confidence in God's righteousness. Will not God act on behalf of His people, Luke 18.7-8!