Psalms 143:1 «A Psalm of David. » Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, [and] in thy righteousness. Ver. 1. _Hear my prayer, O Lord_] He prayeth once and again for audience; and would have God to hear him with both ears. Thus he prayed (saith the Greek... [ Continue Reading ]
And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. Ver. 2. _And enter not into judgment with thy servant_] This is _insignis sententia, siqua usquam in sacris literis extat_ (saith Beza), an excellent sentence as any is in all the Bible, saying the same... [ Continue Reading ]
_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._ Ver. 3. _For the enemy hath persecuted my soul_] _Quasi rabie ferali percitus,_ he hath raged unreasonably. The utmost of a danger is to be r... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. Ver. 4. _Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed_] God's dearest children have their passions; against that stoic apathy. A sheep bitten by a dog is no less sensible of the pain thereof than a swine is; though he make not such... [ Continue Reading ]
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. Ver. 5. _I remember the days of old_] Wherein I was delivered from the lion and the bear; yea, from the hand of all mine enemies, and from the hand of Saul, Psalms 18:1, title. More than this, _Saecula antiqui... [ Continue Reading ]
I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul [thirsteth] after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah. Ver. 6. _I stretch forth my hands unto thee_] As a poor beggar for an alms. Beggary here is not the easiest and poorest trade, but the hardest and richest of all other. _ My soul thirsteth after thee_] An... [ Continue Reading ]
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 pit. Ver. 7. _Hear me speedily_] A very pathetic prayer uttered in many words to like purpose; as the manner is, in extreme danger. _ My spirit faileth_] I am ready to sink and to... [ Continue Reading ]
Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Ver. 8. Cause me to hear … in the morning] _Mane, id est mature,_ as soon as may be, or (at least) as is meet, make me to hear of joy and glad... [ Continue Reading ]
Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. Ver. 9. _Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies_] Deliverance from enemies is a fruit of our friendship with God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Teach me to do thy will; for thou [art] my God: thy spirit [is] good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Ver. 10. _Teach me to do thy will_] _Orat nunc pro salute animae, ut ante pro corporis,_ saith Kimchi. Now he prayeth for his soul's health; and would be as well delivered from his corruption... [ Continue Reading ]
_Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble._ Ver. 11. _Quicken me, O Lord_] Who am no better than a living carcass, a walking sepulchre of myself. _ Bring my soul out of trouble_] I can bring it in, but thou only canst bring it out.... [ Continue Reading ]
And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I [am] thy servant. Ver. 12. _Cut off mine enemies_] Because not so much mine as thine; and those also implacable and irrecoverable. Elsewhere he saith, Slay them not, lest my people forget. _See Trapp on "_ Psa 5... [ Continue Reading ]