Psalms 143
Psalms 143 is part of “Book V: The Deuteronomy Book” (107–150) in the outline of Psalms.
Psalms 143 summary
This psalm, as those before, is a prayer of David, and full of complaints of the great distress and danger he was in, probably when Saul persecuted him. He did not only pray in that affliction, but he prayed very much and very often, not the same over again, but new thoughts. In this psalm, I. He complains of his troubles, through the oppression of his enemies (Psa 143:3) and the weakness of his spirit under it, which was ready to sink notwithstanding the likely course he took to support himself (Psa 143:4, Psa 143:5).
Read the full introduction
This psalm, as those before, is a prayer of David, and full of complaints of the great distress and danger he was in, probably when Saul persecuted him. He did not only pray in that affliction, but he prayed very much and very often, not the same over again, but new thoughts. In this psalm, I. He complains of his troubles, through the oppression of his enemies (Psa 143:3) and the weakness of his spirit under it, which was ready to sink notwithstanding the likely course he took to support himself (Psa 143:4, Psa 143:5). II. He prays, and prays earnestly (Psa 143:6), 1. That God would hear him (Psa 143:1-7). 2. That he would not deal with him according to his sins (Psa 143:2). 3. That he would not hide his face from him (Psa 143:7), but manifest his favour to him (Psa 143:8). 4. That he would guide and direct him in the way of his duty (Psa 143:8, Psa 143:10) and quicken him in it (Psa 143:11). 5. That he would deliver him out of his troubles (Psa 143:9, Psa 143:11). 6. That he would in due time reckon with his persecutors (Psa 143:12). We may more easily accommodate this psalm to ourselves, in the singing of it, because most of the petitions in it are for spiritual blessings (which we all need at all times), mercy and grace. A psalm of David.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Key verses in Psalms 143
Psalms 143 (ASV)
American Standard Version (public domain)
Teach Me to Do Your Will
1A Psalm of David. Hear my prayer, O Jehovah; give ear to my supplications: In thy faithfulness answer me, [and] in thy righteousness. 2And enter not into judgment with thy servant; For in thy sight no man living is righteous. 3For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; He hath smitten my life down to the ground: He hath made me to dwell in dark places, as those that have been long dead. 4Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; My heart within me is desolate. 5I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy doings; I muse on the work of thy hands. 6I spread forth my hands unto thee: My soul [thirsteth] after thee, as a weary land. [Selah 7Make haste to answer me, O Jehovah; my spirit faileth: Hide not thy face from me, Lest I become like them that go down into the pit. 8Cause 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. 9Deliver me, O Jehovah, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. 10Teach me to do thy will; For thou art my God: Thy Spirit is good; Lead me in the land of uprightness. 11Quicken me, O Jehovah, for thy name’s sake: In thy righteousness bring my soul out of trouble. 12And in thy lovingkindness cut off mine enemies, And destroy all them that afflict my soul; For I am thy servant.