Psalm 143:1-6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 143:1-6

Here, I. David humbly begs to be heard (Ps. 143:1), not as if he questioned it, but he earnestly desired it, and was in care about it, for, having desired it, and was in care about it, for having directed his prayer, he looked up to see how it sped, Hab. 2:1. He is a suppliant to his God, and he begs that his requests may be granted: Hear my prayer; give ear to my supplications. He is an appellant against his persecutors, and he begs that his case may be brought to hearing and that God will... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 143:1

Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications ,.... With these requests David begins the psalm; for it was to no purpose to pray and were heard; and for which he always appears to be concerned, as every good man will, and not to be heard only, but to be answered, as follows; in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness ; he does not plead his own faith, with which he believed in God, as rama interprets it; though the prayer of faith is very effectual; but the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 143:2

And enter not into judgment with thy servant ,.... The house of judgment, as the Targum, or court of judicature; God is a Judge, and there is and will be a judgment, universal, righteous, and eternal; and there is a day fixed for it, and a judgment seat before which all must stand, and a law according to which all must be judged; but the psalmist knew he was but a man, and could not contend with God; and a sinful creature, and could not answer him for one of a thousand faults committed by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 143:3

For the enemy hath persecuted my soul ,.... Which is to be connected with Psalm 143:1 ; and is a reason why he desires his prayer might be answered, seeing his enemy, either Saul, or Absalom his own son, persecuted him, or pursued him in order to take away his soul, or life; or Satan, the enemy and avenger, who goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour; or persecuting men, who are his emissaries and instruments, whom he instigates to persecute the Lord's people, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 143:4

Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me ,.... Covered over with grief, borne down with sorrow, ready to sink and fail; See Gill on Psalm 142:3 ; my heart within me is desolate ; destitute of the spirit and presence of God, and with respect to the exercise of grace, and filled with fears and misgivings; or "astonished" F21 ישתומם "attonitum est", Vatablus; "stupuit", Tigurine version; "stupet", Cocceius, Michaelis; "obstupuit", Gejerus. , at the providence he was under,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 143:5

I remember the days of old ,.... Former times he had read and heard of, in which the Lord appeared for his people that trusted in him; or the former part of his own life, his younger days, when the Lord delivered him from the lion and bear, and from the uncircumcised Philistine, whom he slew; and made him victorious in battles, and preserved him from the rage and malice of Saul. If this was written on account of Absalom, those times of deliverance he called to mind, in order to encourage his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 143:6

I stretch forth my hands unto thee ,.... In prayer, as the Targum adds; for this is a prayer gesture, 1 Kings 8:38 ; both hands were stretched forth, earnestly imploring help, and ready to receive and embrace every blessing bestowed with thankfulness; my soul thirsteth after thee as a thirsty land . As a dry land, which wants water, gapes, and as it were thirsts for rain, which is very refreshing to it; so his soul thirsted after God, after his word and ordinances, after communion... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 143:1

In thy faithfulness answer me - Thou hast promised to support me in my difficulties, and, though my children should forsake me, never to withdraw thy loving-kindness from me. See the present unnatural rebellion of my son. Lord, undertake for me! read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 143:2

Enter not into judgment - תבוא אל al tabo . Do not come into court, either as a Witness against me, or as a Judge, else I am ruined; for thou hast seen all my ways that they are evil, and thy justice requires thee to punish me. Nor can any soul that has ever lived be justified in the sight of thy justice and righteousness. Had I my desert from thee, I should have worse than even my unnatural son intends me. O what a relief is Jesus crucified to a soul in such circumstances! read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 143:3

He hath made me to dwell in darkness - Literally, in dark places. This may be understood of David's taking refuge in caves and dens of the earth, to escape from his persecuting son; yea, even to take refuge in the tombs, or repositories of the dead. read more

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