Old Testament Commentary - Psalms 143

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 143 David prays for favor in judgment—He meditates on the Lord's works and trusts in him. A Psalm of David.
1 HEAR my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy ^afaithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. 2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be ^ajustified. 3 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.
4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. 5 I remember the days of old; I ^ameditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. 6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul ^athirsteth after thee, as a ^bthirsty land. Selah.
7 Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the ^apit^a. 8 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the ^away wherein I should walk; for I ^blift up my soul unto thee. 9 Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.	7^a them that go down into the pit The 'pit' is that final eternal abode of confinement to which Lucifer and his angels and those who sin against the witness of the Holy Ghost will go 'down' to and be confined there without the glory and presence of God for the eternity to come because of their rebellion and wickedness against God. And in a very real sense, if not for the atonement of Jesus Christ, all who have 'fallen' would be so confined but for the grace and mercy of God through the atonement of Jesus Christ. This phrase is used in the Psalms, yet one must question if David and Israel understood the full meaning of it, that Lucifer and those rebelleous spirits who followed him, would be so confined there. Even we have a limited understanding as to just what and where the 'pit' is other than it is not in the presence of God or any part of God's kingdoms of glory.
10 Teach me to do thy ^awill; for thou art my God: thy ^bspirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. 11 Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble. 12 And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.