Psalm 143

There are connections between Psalms 142 and 143.  Both are Psalms of David (as are Psalms 138-145), supplications (142:1; 143:1), and times when we find David overwhelmed in his spirit (142:3; 143:4).  The preface to Psalm 142 gives a specific historical context; Psalm 143 has no such reference.

Let us begin with an understanding of this word supplication.  It actually comes from what is the Hebrew word for grace.  For example, when Jacob returned from the years in Padan Aram he referred to his family and possessions as all that God has graciously given to him (Gen. 33:5,11).  On the other hand it was this lack of graciousness that Jacob’s sons confessed they did not have compassion towards their brother Joseph (Gen. 42:21).  It is a fundamental attribute of God, found in the expression of His name in Exodus 34:6.  Both being gracious and having compassion are expressions of God’s goodness (Ex. 33:19) where God says, I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious.  Thus supplication is to seek this grace and favor of God, to plead with God to be gracious.  In acknowledging that no one is righteous before God (143:2) David is not making his request for grace based on his own righteousness; but he is asking God to do what is righteous (142:1).  Our afflictions should lead us to plead for God’s favor!

·         143:1-2: David begins by asking God to hear him and to answer him out of His faithfulness and righteousness.  These perfections of God are always appropriate for us to consider when we come in prayer because we know that God will always be faithful to keep His word and will always be righteous in what He does.  When we are afflicted and overwhelmed these are tremendous thoughts that will encourage our faith as we come to God.  Even, and especially, when we remember that in God’s sight no one living is righteous!

·         143:3-4: David is overwhelmed and distressed because of his enemies’ persecutions.  He is crushed to the ground and made to dwell in darkness.  These are not words of self-pity.  It is common in life to come to situations where we feel ourselves to be in just such a position.  Let us remember that the Lord Jesus Himself knew such distress.  In Gethsemane He told His disciples, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death (Matt. 26:38).  At that moment He did just as David; He made supplication to God and asked His disciples to pray with and for Him.  It becomes self-pity when we just continue to complain and do not take it to our faithful and righteous God!

·         143:5-6: These are the transitional thoughts for David that lead from declaring his distress to making his supplication.  He remembers the past, the times when he experienced God’s goodness.  He meditates on these things.  In one way you might say it only increases his longings as v6 indicates.  But at the same time it steers his soul in the right way, being reminded that these works in the days of old were the works of God’s hand.  This is why, in our afflictions, it is important that we come to a godly resolution, seeing God’s work in them.  Thus they become memorable encouragements to our faith when we next enter into a trial.

·         143:7-8: Out of these encouragements he then prays for a speedy answer from God.  Don’t miss this.  David began this prayer by asking God to hear him (v1); but here he prays that he will hear God.  It is enough if he hears God’s lovingkindness in the morning because then, throughout the day, he will be sustained knowing that what God has said He will do.  Supplication is not simply getting God’s ear; it is giving Him our ear!

·         143:9-10:  David does not just pray for deliverance.  He prays that God will also teach him.  Remember the great thoughts in Psalm 119:67,71 when the Psalmist acknowledged how good it was that he had been afflicted because now he knew and kept God’s word.  That is the result of praying like this, asking God to teach us, never thinking that we know enough and just need to be delivered from the present hour.

·         143:11-12: In the aforementioned stanza from Psalm 119 (v65-72) David prayed his prayer of God’s goodness in affliction as God’s servant (119:65) even as he does here.  Let us remember this great encouragement to faith.  If God is faithful and righteous, and He is, then those who are His servants can expect to be treated well by Him.  The true servant is only concerned about the name and reputation of his Master as David is here (v11).  May we come to God with such abandonment to our Father in heaven!