Psalms 143

Psalms 143:1-12

the Cry of the Thirsty Soul Psalms 143:1-12 This psalm falls into four stanzas of three verses each. Complaint, Psalms 143:1-3. Though the enemy has resorted to unwarrantable violence, David realized that his past had been by no means immaculate. The holiest have least confidence in themselves, Job 9:3; Philippians 3:7. Bernard of Clairvaux said: “ So far from being able to answer for my sins, I cannot answer even for my righteousness.” There is no judgment or condemnation for those who are in Christ, because they were judged in Him. Now God’ s justice is on our side, 1 John 1:9. Depression, Psalms 143:4-6. Those capable of the sunny heights are capable of the lowest depths. Memory, meditation, and musing often lead to melancholy. But reach out after God. To thirst for Him is to have Him. To desire is to possess. Entreaty, Psalms 143:7-9. Hear me; cause me to hear; cause me to know; deliver me. Docility, Psalms 143:10-12 : We can trust ourselves absolutely to be led by God’ s Spirit, because He is good and He brings the soul out of trouble into the land of uprightness, Romans 8:14.

Hear my prayer, O Lord! The spirit and language of this Psalm are so in unison with the earlier Davidic Psalms as to confirm the genuineness of the superscription. It is the last of the penitential Psalms. The pause divides the Psalm exactly. It may be viewed as consisting of four stanzas, each of three verses.

Psalms 143:1. In thy faithfulness When we are in Christ, the sterner attributes of God are on our side. A dying woman said, “I rely on the justice of God.” Adding, however, when the words excited surprise, “justice, not to me, but to my Substitute in whom I trust” (1 John 1:9).

Psalms 143:2. In thy sight shall no man be justified The holiest of men have least confidence in themselves (Job 9:3; Philippians 3:7-9). Bernard of Clairvaux said, “So far from being able to answer for my sins, I cannot answer even for my righteousness.” There is a sense in which God will never “enter into judgment” with us, because the great white throne has nought to say to those who are in Christ Jesus. Being justified, who is he that condemneth? (Romans 5:1; Romans 8:34).

Psalms 143:3. As those that have been long dead The dead are soon forgotten by the living. David felt that long haunting of the caves and dens of the earth was like a living burial, which was bearing him from the homes and memories of his fellows.

Psalms 143:4. Overwhelmed! … Desolate! Those who are capable of the gladdest heights of joy are also capable of the saddest depths of depression. David was permitted to touch each, that he might be able to give expression to all kinds of emotion–to every phase of feeling. So was it with our great High Priest, “tempted in all points like as we are.” But how unutterable the sorrows of this fainting, desolate heart!

Psalms 143:5. The days of old … The work of Thy hands Memory–Meditation–Musing.

Psalms 143:6. I stretch forth my hands Stretch forth your hands and you will certainly touch God. My soul thirsteth! This thirst is blessed (Psalms 42:1-2; Psalms 63:1;Isaiah 44:3). To have it is to be satisfied. There is no natural desire which has not its satisfaction. In the woods, birds do not hunger for food which is not to be had. So the very existence of this thirst is a proof of the being and sufficiency of Him for whom it yearns and in whom it is allayed.

Psalms 143:7. Hear me speedily! Prayer gets more earnest as it proceeds. Speedily does not imply impatience, but vehement yearning. We sometimes think our spirit is going to faint–when there is strength enough left in it to suffer still and in suffering to attain the strength of steel. But God is very pitiful and keeps his finger on our pulse while we pass through the operation (Isaiah 57:16).

Psalms 143:8. Cause me to hear! … Cause me to know! God’s “loving-kindness” speaks continually in the ears of his people, but they may be deaf to it–hence the prayer, “‘Cause me to hear!” (Job 33:16; Job 36:10; Isaiah 50:5). It is well to hear it in the morning before other thoughts enter to engross our attention. Our prayer will be fully answered when the morning of eternity breaks.

When you are uncertain about your path, lift your soul into the presence of God, until He saturate it with his light and guidance.

Psalms 143:9. I flee unto Thee! Satan outwits himself when he drives us to our God (Psalms 27:5).

Psalms 143:10. Teach me to do thy will It is more important to be taught to do than to know. The Good Spirit’s leadings must be good to follow (Nehemiah 9:20; Ephesians 5:9). The land of uprightness is, literally, the level tableland.

Psalms 143:11. For thy Name’s sake! God’s credit and glory are involved in the succor and deliverance of his saints.

Psalms 143:12. I am thy servant God makes Himself responsible for the safety of his servants. Therefore to be his servant is a better position than to be an Emperor or a Czar.