Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 143

1 HEar my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me: and in thy righteousness .

Whereby thou art inclined and engaged to favour righteous persons and just causes.

2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant : for in thy sight shall no man living be justified .

But when I appeal to thy righteousness, I do it onely with respect to mine enemies, whose cause as well as their persons is worse than mine, but not in reference to thee, as if I could absolutely justifie my self upon a severe tryal at the Tribunal of thy Justice; for if thou shouldest rigorously examine all the passages of mine heart and life, I dread the thoughts and consequences of it.

To wit, upon terms of strict justice, without thy indulgence and infinite mercy.

Marginal references: Or, but.; Exod. 34. 7. Job 4. 17. Rom. 3. 20. Gal. 2. 16.

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 .

This is not a reason of what he last said, v. 2. but an argument to enforce his petition delivered v. 1. and repeated v. 7, &c. For though I am not faultless, if thou shouldest make an exact search into me, yet mine enemies are more culpable and highly unjust, and therefore I hope for thy help against them from thy justice as well as mercy.

i. e. My life; for nothing less will satisfie him.

He hath beaten me down to the ground where I lie strugling for life.

He hath forced me to have mine abode in dark vaults and caves.

Where I am out of sight and memory, and in as [illegible: 1+ letters]orlorn and hopeless a condition in the eye of man, as those that have [illegible: 1+ letters]ain long rotting in the grave.

4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me : my heart within me is desolate .

See on Psal. 61. 2. & 14[illegible: 1+ letters]. 3.

Deprived of all hope and comfort. Or, is astonished.

5 I remember the days of old , I meditate on all thy works: I muse on the works of thy hands.

i. e. What thou hast done for thy servants in former times. Which he mentions either, 1. as matter of terror, to consider how unlike God now was to himself and to his former dealings: or, 2. as matter of support from former experience, because God was still the same. Either way it drive him to his prayers, which here follow.

Marginal references: Psal. 77. 5. 11.

6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee : my soul thirsteth after thee , as a thirsty land . Selah.

I pray to thee [illegible: 1+ letters]ervently. See on Psal. 141. 2.

After thy favour and help.

To wit, thirs[illegible: 1+ letters]eth for rain.

Marginal references: Psal. 63. 1.

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 pit .

That are dead and buried, of whom there is no hope.

Marginal references: Psal. 28. 1.; Or, for I am become like, &c.

8 Cause me to hear thy loving kindness 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.

i. e. Early, as this phrase is taken, Psal. 90. 14. and elsewhere, seasonably and speedily.

So as to please thee, and to secure my self.

Marginal references: Psal. 25. 1.

9 Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me .

Without whose care these caves and rocks can give me no protection.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] with thee.

10 Teach me to do thy will , for thou art my God: thy spirit is good, lead me into the land of uprightness .

To continue in faithful obedience to thee, notwithstanding all temp[illegible: 1+ letters]ations to the contrary.

Or rather, as it is exactly in the Hebrew, and as many both ancient and modern Translators render it, Let thy good Spirit lead me. Leave me not to my own blind and vain mind or corrupt affections, neither give me up to the evil Spirit, as thou didst Saul, [illegible: 1+ letters]ut conduct me in all my ways by thy good, i. e. gracious and holy Spirit.

Or, in plain or even land or ground, in a straight and smooth path, that I may not stumble nor fall either into sin or mischief. This is opposed to the crooked and rugged ways in which sinners are said to walk. See Psal. 125. 5. Prov. 2. 15. Isa. 40. 4.

Marginal references: Psal. 25. 4, 5. & 139. 24.

12 And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.

Out of thy mercy to me, whose life they seek.

Marginal references: Psal. 16. 16.