Psalms 143

David being grievously persecuting and straightened by his enemies, doth pray most fervently for speedy deliverance, and for instruction in the ways of the Lord, and for the destruction of his enemies.

1. A Psalm of David. [Some conceive that David made this Psalm when Absalom pursue him: others, when Saul was at his heels] O LORD, hear my prayer; encline the ears to my supplications: hear me according to thy Truth, according to thy Righteousness. [i.e. for thy righteousness sake; as if he said: since I suffer so much wrong and violence, let me entreat thee LORD, that as a righteous Judge, thou wilt no longer wink at, nor permit the same. See Psalms 31:2.]

2. And go not into judgement with thy servants; [i.e. summon me not into the Court of justice; deal not with me according to my deserts. See Job 22:4.] for none that liveth shall be righteous before thy face. [viz. By the works of the Law, and being considered in himself as a son of Adam; see Job 4:17. and 9.2,3. And 15.14. & 25.4. see also the Annot. 1 Kings 11.on v.33.]

3. For [These words depend on the first verse of this Psalm] the enemy [Saul and his adherents] doth persecute my soul, [my life or person, as Psalms 6:4.] he treadeth down (or trampleth) my life. [others, my troop, band, or company, i.e. all those that are with me. See Psalms 141:7. to the ground, [i.e. he sets so hard after and upon me, that I have scarce life left in me: or he will soon overtake and trample us under foot, if thou do not speedily deliver us out of his hands] he layeth me in darkness [he maketh me and those that follow me to creep into holes and corners, for to hide our selves from his fury. For David had his abode for a good while in Caves, together with the men that followed him, Psalms 142:1.] as those that are dead long ago. [as if he said, We creep into holes and Caves in and under ground, being in that regard like unto them that are dead and buried long ago.]

4. Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me, [The sence is: There pass so many waves of disasters and crosses over my head, the one before, the other after, that I am ready to faint and perish under them] my heart is agast in the midst of me. [i.e. altogether disconsolate, distempered, others, much astonished.]

5. I remember the days of old: As if he said; when I find my self thus anguished and perplexed, I can find nothing doth so much ease and comfort me, as to call to my mind, how thou hast formerly assisted and delivered me. It seems Davids eye reflects principally here upon that time, when after the victory over his enemies, the people welcomed and received him with shouts and rejoicing, 1 Sam.17. and 18.] I ponder all thy acts: [viz. Which thou hast done for and by me] I speak by my self of the works of thine hand.

6. I spread forth my hands unto thee: [See the Annot. Psalm 141.on v.2.] my soul is before thee, like a thirsty land [or as a dry land. See Psalm 63.on v.2. the sence might be supplied thus. Even as a dry or thirsty land doth long for rain, so thirsteth my soul after thee. Psalm 42.23.] Sela!

7. Hear me hastily LORD, my spirit fainteth! Do not hide thy face from me; [Turn not away from me, forsake me not] for I should become like them that go down into the pit. [i.e. to those which are ever ready to give up the Ghost, Psalms 28:1. and 88.5.]

8. Let me hear thy kindness, [i.e. the good and comfortable news of thy kindness thou wilt shew me, by turning Saul back again, from pursuing thus fiercely after me] in the morning; [early, speedily, without long delay] for I put my trust in thee: Make known the way unto me, which I am to go, [i.e. teach me what to do to eschew the danger wherein I am. See Psalms 142:4. or make known unto me, which I am to walk in, to please thee] for I lift up my soul [my mind] unto thee. [as to him whom] hold and honour as my sole Protector and Saviour.

9. Rescue me, LORD, from mine enemies, with thee I hide my self. [viz. Under the shadow of thy wings, as the prophets speaketh, Psalms 57:2.]

10. Teach me to do thy pleasing, as Psalm 40.v.9.] for thou art my God: [whom I both will and must obey] Thy good spirit [understand here the holy Ghost] conduct me in a plain land. [i.e. in the way which I may cheerfully walk in without let or offence; whereby is understood the way of righteousness, prescribed in the Word of God; or it may be David understands here by the way the means which he should apply himself unto, safely to escape from his enemies.]

11. O LORD quicken me [Or save me alive, that am even dead and gone. See above, verse 3. And verse 7.] for thy Names sake; that I may praise and celebrate thy Name, Psalm 142.8.] lead my soul out of the straight [i.e. my life] for thy righteousness sake.

12. And root out mine enemies, for thy kindness sake, and destroy them all that distress my soul: [Here the Prophet reflects upon the promise which God made to Abraham, and to his seed, Genesis, 12. Verse 3.] serve thee faithfully, according to the Precepts of thy Law.]