Table of Contents

Psalm 143

Psalm 143

1 Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.

2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.

4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.

5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.

6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.

7 Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.

8 Cause 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.

9 Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.

10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

11 Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.

12 And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.

Notes

Cross Reference

Concordance

Commentary

Rashi

Verse 1

<html><b>with Your faith</b> to realize the promise that You promised me.</html>

Verse 3

<html><b>For an enemy pursued my soul</b> That is to say: If I have sinned before You, behold, I have suffered. This psalm was recited as referring to all of Israel in Babylon.</html>

Verse 4

<html><b>is appalled</b> Heb. ישתומם, an expression of daze and astonishment, like (Ezek. 3:15): “and I remained there overwhelmed (משמים) among them seven days.” Also (II Sam. 13:20): “and Tamar sat, overwhelmed (ושוממה).”</html>

Verse 5

<html><b>I remember the days of yore</b> when You performed for us many wondrous miracles.</html>

Verse 6

<html><b>like a weary land</b> in exile.</html>

Verse 7

<html><b>my spirit pines</b> If one longs and does not attain, it is called the pining of the eyes and the pining of the spirit.</html>

Verse 8

<html><b>in the morning</b> When the redemption sprouts. (I found.) <b>let me know the way in which I am to go; I lift up my soul</b> that You accept my request.</html>

Verse 9

<html><b>to You I have hidden</b> My tribulations I conceal from all men to tell them to You.</html>