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 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
Teach Me to Do Your Will
1A Psalme of David. Heare my prayer, O Lord, and hearken vnto my supplication: answer me in thy trueth and in thy righteousnes. 2(And enter not into iudgement with thy seruant: for in thy sight shall none that liueth, be iustified) 3For the enemie hath persecuted my soule: he hath smitten my life downe to the earth: he hath layde me in the darkenes, as they that haue bene dead long agoe: 4And my spirit was in perplexitie in me, and mine heart within me was amased. 5Yet do I remember the time past: I meditate in all thy workes, yea, I doe meditate in the workes of thine hands. 6I stretche forth mine hands vnto thee: my soule desireth after thee, as the thirstie land. Selah. 7Heare me spedely, O Lord, for my spirit faeleth: hide not thy face from me, els I shall be like vnto them that go downe into the pit. 8Let me heare thy louing kindenes in the morning, for in thee is my trust: shewe mee the waie, that I should walke in, for I lift vp my soule vnto thee. 9Deliuer me, O Lord, from mine enemies: for I hid me with thee. 10Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God: let thy good Spirit leade me vnto the land of righteousnes. 11Quicken me, O Lord, for thy Names sake, and for thy righteousnes bring my soule out of trouble. 12And for thy mercy slay mine enemies, and destrie all them that oppresse my soule: for I am thy seruant.