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 with him in them, after his grace and fresh supplies of it; particularly after pardoning grace and mercy, after the coming of Christ, and the blessings of grace by him; as reconciliation, atonement, righteousness, and salvation; after more knowledge of God and Christ, and divine truths; and after the enjoyment of them in heaven to all eternity. Some copies read, "in a thirsty land" F24 בארץ Cod. Heb. Bomberg. Venet. "in terra siticulosa", Musculus, Tarnovius. , and so some versions; see Psalm 42:1 .

Selah ; on this word; see Gill on Psalm 3:2 .