Psa 143:4-9 | Clarke | STEP | Verse 4 Therefore is my spirit - I am deeply depressed in spirit, and greatly afflicted in body. My heart within me is desolate - It has no companion of its sorrows, no sympathetic friend. I am utterly destitute of comfort.

Psalms 143:4-9

Verse 4

Therefore is my spirit - I am deeply depressed in spirit, and greatly afflicted in body.

My heart within me is desolate - It has no companion of its sorrows, no sympathetic friend. I am utterly destitute of comfort. Verse 5

I remember the days of old - Thou hast often helped me, often delivered me. I will therefore trust in thee, for thy mercy is not clean gone from me. Verse 6

I stretch forth my hands - This is a natural action. All in distress, or under the influence of eager desire, naturally extend their hands and arms, as if to catch at help and obtain succor.

As a thirsty land - Parched and burned by the sun, longs for rain, so does my thirsty soul for the living God. Verse 7

Hear me speedily - מהר maher, make haste to answer me. A few hours, and my state may be irretrievable. In a short time my unnatural son may put an end to my life. Verse 8

Cause me to hear thy Loving-kindness in the morning - This petition was probably offered in the night-season. David had despatched his messengers in all directions; and prays to God that he might by the morning get some good news.

Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk - Absalom and his partisans are in possession of all the country. I know not in what direction to go, that I may not fall in with them: point out by thy especial providence the path I should take. Verse 9

I flee unto thee to hide me - That I may not be found by my enemies, who seek my life to destroy it.