Verses 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.