Psalm 143

[Al Moak]

Psalm 143

We don't like it when we're in it, but sometimes adversity is good for us!  You can see that in this psalm.  David is in a desperate plight – and he sees no way out of it unless the Lord delivers him miraculously.  But it was just that extremity of need that produced some wonderful spiritual insights!  His relationship to Jehovah blossomed in adversity!

First, and very, very importantly, he came to realize that the Lord wasn't obligated to hear or answer his prayers.  With that foundational truth, his first prayer is that the Lord would - at the least - hear him.  He cries out, "Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications!" But having been heard, he's also feeling the need for an answer!  He says, "In Your faithfulness answer me, and in Your righteousness."  It's been just because of his distress that he's become aware of how blessed God's faithfulness is when he needs it.  But, realizing that God is holy, he knows how important it is that God's righteousness be upheld even when He's being faithful.  We should see in this that he's not as centered and focused upon himself as he certainly could be in such dire circumstances.  Instead, the circumstances have brought him face to face with Who and What God is. Difficult circumstances have been good for him in that regard!

Then, having been made aware of God's holiness and righteousness – and therefore of how much a sinner he himself still is - he has to say, "Do not enter into judgement with Your servant, for in Your sight no one living is righteous."

Nevertheless, with all this awareness of God's righteousness, David hasn't forgotten  what he came for.  He describes his need just as he feels it.  To him it seems like a prison.  In fact it feels like the prison of death itself!  He's completely overwhelmed by it. And he's become thoroughly aware that he can't do anything about it in his own strength.  So, here too, he's learned a lesson we all need to learn – he's learned a little more about his absolute dependence upon God!

His circumstances force David to remember former days, the days before his present trouble, days during which he was blessed to have the time to meditate on God's works.  His present situation forces him to prize more highly those easier days.  He knows he can't "take them for granted" anymore.  He realizes now how much he misses them, and he says, "My soul longs for You like a thirsty land!"  It's good for him to feel that way about God!

His increased awareness of God's righteousness and goodness drives him, therefore, to pray for deliverance in a new way. His hope now is that he might once again, this time with more awareness, experience those good days with God.  He prays, "Do not hide Your face from me, lest I be like those who go down into the pit (death)!  Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust."

But even yet it isn't over! The spiritual exercise God is putting him through continues!  David is forced to realize still another thing he wouldn't otherwise have thought of – that he's very prone to commit sin even in this situation.  So he prays, "Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You!"  In the same vein, a few words further on, he prays, "Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God.  Your Spirit is good.  Lead me in the land of uprightness."

David, finally realizing at least a little why he actually needed this trouble in his life to turn him toward God, prays, "Revive me, O Lord, for Your name's sake!  For Your righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble."

We need to see in this psalm how alive to God David is!  And we need to see also how he came to that point!  It wasn't automatic.  He had to go through trouble.  And so do we all.  Only then will we truly learn the blessed Character of our God.  Only then will we truly learn how dependent we are upon Him.  Only then will we truly feel the awful weight of the chains of the sin that is still upon us! 

As is the case for many, if not most of his songs, David probably composed this one some time after his deliverance – with the thought that others would likely experience some of the same things.  He wanted them to learn from his lessons.  David's greater Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, also wants us to learn these things.  Oh let us thank Him for hard times as well as for good times!

[Pat]

So, here too, he's learned a lesson we all need to learn – he's learned a little more about his absolute dependence upon God!

Oh, how we must learn to have absolute dependence upon our God!.  Alan, thanks for this reminder today.

"Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God.  Your Spirit is good.  Lead me in the land of uprightness."

Oh, that this would be the prayer of all of us!

[Al Moak]

I need it too.