Psalms 143

I am destitute of human help, I will not despair of safety; but with the moro fervent cries implore the Divine succour: and with vehement sighs and groans deprecate the Lord’s displeasure. To the title of A Psalm of David, Thcodoret says he found, in some Greek copies, these words added (to explain the time of its composition), when Absalom’s son persecuted him. Which he confesses was not then in the Hebrew (no more than it is now), nor in other interpreters of the Psalms; but agrees well enough, he thinks, with the truth of the story. So he that was the author of the Vulgar Latin thought also: though there arc some passages • in the Psalm, which sound as if it had been made during the persecution of Saul; at some time, when he was in the like distress with that described in the foregoing. For ver. 3, 4. he uses some of the same expressions which we find there; and represents himself as in danger to be buried in some such cave as that mentioned in the last verse of Psal. cxlii. where he begs, as he doth here, for a speedy deliverance. Yet, for all this, there are other passages which will incline us to adhere to the forenamed addition, and apply the Psalm to his flight from Absalom. For then it was he had most reason to fear, lest God should deal with him according to his sins: which he deprecates (ver. 2.) with such a deep sense of his unworthiness, that it hath made this to be numbered among the penitential Psalms, and is the last of them. The memory also of God’s former deliverances of him, a great while before, (ver. 5.) may well refer to what he haddone for him, not only against Saul, but before he knew him; which, as he doth not forget, so he hoped the Lord would now remember, and grant him the like again, when he was in the like distresses.

Psalms 143:1

JJ.EAR my prayer^ O Lord; give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. I renew my requests and my earnest supplications unto thee, O Lord, for some relief, in these new straits and difficulties into which I am fallen: hoping, though I am very unworthy, yet, in thy abundant mercy, thou wilt faithfully fulfil the promises thou hast made to me.

Psalms 143:2

I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before Mm my trouble. I will lay before him at large all the sad thoughts which perplex my heart: and, representing the inextricable straits and difficulties wherein I am, expose myself unto him; as an object of his pity. And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.] My sins, indeed,(2Sam.xii.9 — 11.) have justly broughtthese troubles upon me; but I humbly beseech thee to own me still for thy servant, and not to call me unto a severe account for what 1 have done amiss; but to deal favourably with me: for if thou shouldest proceed according to the rigour of the law, the best man living (much less so great a sinner as I) will not be acquitted at thy tribunal.

Psalms 143:3

When my spirit was ovenvhelmed tvWiin me, then thou knewest my path: in the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. Now that I am utterly at a loss, and ready to faint away in a confusion of thoughts, thou knowest very well a way for ray escape: though, by the intelligence they hold with mine enemies, (ISain. xxiv. 1.) they have blocked up all the passages which I am acquainted withal; and laid ambushes for me in every road. 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,’] And I am not so bad, but my enemy that persecutes me is far worse: who without any provocation seeks my life, and hath already utterly despoiled me of all the comforts of it, (2 Sam. xv. 13.) and forced me to seek my safety in holes and obscure places, in the wilderness, (xvii. 16.) w T here I seem to be buried alive, without any hope of a resurrection.

Psalms 143:4

I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me; refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. Look about thee, O my soul, and see if thou canst spy any hope of relief from thy best and most powerful friends: there are none of them that dare own thee; nor do I know whither to fly for safety, if any of them would be so kind as to invent a means, and open a way, for my deliverance from the present danger. Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.] Which, as it calls to mind the distress wherein I was, when, in my flight from Saul, I hid myself in caves, (see cxlii. 3.) so it hath the same effect upon me; for I am ready to swoon away in this great perplexity; which hath struck me with such astonishment, that I have no strength remaining in me.

Psalms 143:5

I cried unto tliee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge, and my portion in the land of the living. All that I can do, is to recommend myself to thee, O Lord, by fervent prayers, saying, I trust myself with thy almighty goodness, as in a Sure sanctuary: I have nothing else in the world to depend upon, but thee alone; by whom I will hope to be protected and provided for as long as I live. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on tha work of thy hands.] Till I call to mind, withal, not only what thou didst forme in that former persecution, but long before, in my younger days, when I was delivered by thee from the greatest dangers: (1 Sam. xvii. 34, &c.) on these wonderful works I meditate; and consider with myself, that not by my own strength, but by thy stupendous power, I was then preserved.

Psalms 143:6

Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. O let my importunate cry prevail for some relief, w r hich will come most seasonably in this exceeding great necessity: rescue me now, that I may not fall into the hands of my persecutors; who are every way (except in these cries unto, and confidence, in thee) much too strong for roe.

Psalms 143:7

Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou slujilt deal bountifully with me. Bring me, with life and liberty, out of this dismal cave, wherein I am pent up; that 1 may make my thankful acknowledgments to thy almighty goodness: which shall attract the admiration of all good men, and provoke them unanimously to join together with me in praising thee; when they see that thou art the most righteous judge, and bountiful benefactor, of those that commit themselves unto thee. PSALM CXLTII. A Psalm of David.