Psalms 143

Psalms 143:1

IN thy faithfulnesse answer me] According to thy promise, and the equity of my cause against my foes.

Psalms 143:2

And enter not] Though I can stand upright before them, yet I cannot stand before thee. This second verse would be included in a parenthesis; for the third verse gives a reason of the petition in the first verse.

into judgement with thy servant] Job 14:3. He acknowledgeth a just hand of God in those things that had befallen him, though 〈◊〉 the unjust hands of his enemies; and intreateth him not to deal rigorously with him, as in justice he might.

in thy sight shall no man living be justified] Exodus 34:7. Romans 3:20. Galatians 2:16.

Psalms 143:3

hath persecuted my soul] To take away my life.

hath smitten my life] I must needs be stain, if thou relieve me not.

to dwell in darknesse] I am forced to live in dark caves, like graves.

that have been long dead] He acknowledgeth that God is his onely true physitian that can heal him; for he can raise up men long since dead.

Psalms 143:4

spirit overwhelmed within me] Psalms 142:3.

my heart within me is desolate] So that he was upheld onely by Gods power, on which he relied, psal. 73. 26.

Psalms 143:5

I remember the days of old] To wit, thy great benefits of old, and the manifold examples of thy favour toward thine: or, I comfort my self with the remembrance of thy favours to me in times past, and take them for a pawn of comfort in time to come, because thou art the same, psal. 77. 5, 11.

all thy works] Heb. every work of thine, or, all thy practice.

Psalms 143:6

my soul thirsteth after thee] Psal. 42. 1, 2. and 63. 1. and 84. 2.

as a thirstie land] I earnestly desire to be with God in the Sanctuary, as the drie ground desires rain, psal. 42. 1, 2. and 63. 1.

Psalms 143:7

Hear me speedily] Heb. Make haste, answer me.

lest I be like, &c.] Or, for I am become like, &c.

Psalms 143:8

in the morning] It seems he made this prayer in the night, and prays for comfort against the next day: or, in the morning, that is, speedily, and in due time, psal. 101. 8.

cause me to know the way] Direct me which way I may escape this danger, lest I perish in it, psal. 28. 1. and 5. 8.

Psalms 143:9

I flee unto thee to hide me] Heb. hide me with thee. I hid my self under the shadow of thy wings, that I might be defended by thy power, psal. 91. 1. and 32. 7.

Psalms 143:10

Teach me] He confesseth, that both the knowledge of, and obedience to Gods will in us, cometh from the Spirit of God, who teacheth us by his word, giveth understanding by his Spirit, and frameth our hearts by his grace to obey him.

to do thy will] That is, justly, and aright: for, so soon as we decline from Gods will, we fall into errour.

thy spirit is good, lead] Or, let thy good spirit lead.

into the land of uprightnesse] Or, in (or on) an even ground, as Isai. 26. 7, 10.

Psalms 143:11

Quicken me] Keep me alive, and free me from this deadly danger.

Quicken me, O Lord, for thy Names sake] Psal. 119. 25, 37, 88, 107.

for thy Names sake] That thy Name may be honoured, thy justice shewed on persecutours, thy mercy to me thy servant.

Psalms 143:12

of thy mercy cut off thine enemies] Which shall be a signe of thy fatherly care of me.

I am thy servant] Psalms 116:16.