Psa 141.1-10 has the heading “A Psalm of David” and was written during one of his dangerous moments, probably fleeing from Saul. Saul, as we know, has been energized by the slanderous lips of those who hated and were jealous of David, and David asks Yehovah for protection, as he himself is guarding his own lips from the evil tongue (Lashon Ha Ra).
Psa 141.1-4 is an urgent prayer because his enemies are so close, “O Yehovah, I will call upon thee; hasten (hurry) to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to thee (I don’t have time for formal prayers, my enemy is close behind and I am in a hurry-v 1)! May my prayer be counted (prepared) as incense before thee (all korbanot were likened to incense by Yehovah, as in Num 28.2. The korbanot atone for errors, but incense is offered to give God joy, as in Prov 27.9 and Num 28.2, and the smell was the only sense not involved in Adam’s sin. The breath of life was blown into his nostrils in Gen 2.7); the lifting up of my hands (innocence), as the afternoon (minchah) offering (a person needs to interrupt his affairs to pray this prayer at mid-afternoon, like Elijah in 1 Kings 18.36, and Daniel in Dan 9.21. because of that, Yehovah sees this prayer as precious-v 2). Set a guard (post a sentry), Yehovah, for my mouth (keep it from speaking any evil-Prov 16.1); keep watch over the door of my lips (the lips are like a door, it is either open or closed. David wants the discipline to control this-v 3). Do not incline my heart to any evil thing (do not turn me over to the evil designs in my heart), to practice deeds of wickedness with men who do iniquity (join them in their evil); and do not let me eat of their delicacies (in celebration of their evil successes-v 4).”
Psa 141.5-7 speaks of being corrected by the righteous and the destruction of the wicked, “Let the righteous smite me in kindness and reprove me (their rebukes are better than the delicacies of the wicked-Prov 27.6); it is oil upon the head (soothing balm); do not let my head refuse it, for still my prayer is against their wicked deeds (David is thankful for God’s correction, but he still prays for God to deal with the wicked-v 5). Their judges are thrown down by the sides of the rock (cast down, to be destroyed), and they hear my words, for they are pleasant (one day David will have victory over these judges, and the people will welcome the words of David-v 6) as when one plows and breaks open the earth (shattered), our bones (lives) have been scattered at the mouth of Sheol (at the door of death-v 7).”
Psa 141.8-10 is David’s prayer for deliverance, “for my eyes are turned toward thee, Yehovah the Lord (adonai); in thee I take refuge; do not let my soul slip away (be poured-I am still in danger, do not let my enemies take the breath of life from me-v 8). Keep (guard) me from the jaws of the trap which they have set for me (Saul’s traps reach out like hands to grab him), from the snares of those who do iniquity-v 9). Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by safely (slip through their net-v 10).”
Psa 142.1-7 is a “maskil” meaning “instruction or understanding of David when he was in the cave hiding from Saul. This would have been Adullam or En-gedi possibly. It begins, “I cry aloud with my voice to Yehovah (he is in mortal danger); I make supplication (plead) with my voice (out loud-v 1). I pour out my complaint (about those who persecute him) before him; I declare my trouble before him (he knows already-v 2). When my spirit was overwhelmed within me (this literally means to be bent over in great pain), thou dost know my path (he takes comfort in knowing that Yehovah knows his situation and it is a part of his plan for David). In the way where I walk they (Saul, his enemies) have hidden a trap for me (to destroy him-v 3). Look to the right (where a protector would be-Psa 109.31) and see; for there is no one who regards me (who I can depend on to protect me); there is no escape for me (to feel secure); no one cares for my soul (out of all of David’s friends and family, there is not one who tries to stop Saul. Some shared in his flight but never really understood David. He has no other place to go other than Yehovah-v 4). I cried out to thee, Yehovah; I said, ‘Thou art my refuge, my portion in the land of the living (Saul’s physical threats were not as powerful as God. The land of the living is an idiom for the land of Israel and the Olam Haba-v 5). Give heed to my cry, for I am brought very low (he is at his breaking point); deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me (how can I survive the pursuit of a great king and his army-v 6). Bring my soul (life) out of prison (the cave he was trapped in), so that I may give thanks to thy name (in appreciation for his rescue); the righteous will surround me (in joy), for thou wilt deal bountifully with me (reward David for relying on the promises to him and be an example on how God rewards the righteous-v 7).”
Psa 143.1-12 is a psalm written by David when he needed relief from his enemies, and it was Paul’s basis in Rom 3.10-18. It carries the same theme as Psa 142 but it is not clear as to who David had in mind here. Some believe it was written when he fled from Absalom, and others believe it was when he fled from Saul. But it is another plea for help to Yehovah at a time when he was afflicted by his enemies.
Psa 143.1-4 tells us about how David pleads for help and the nature of the problems, “Hear my prayer, Yehovah, give ear to my supplications (it is not enough to just pray, but David wants to be heard or he was dead)! Answer me in thy faithfulness (you said you would in Psa 89.28), in thy righteousness (because I do not deserve it-v 1)! And do not enter into judgment with they servant (or a beit din, house of judgment) for in thy sight (God sees everything) no man living is righteous (free from sin-v 2). For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground (very low, near death); he has made me dwell in dark places, like those who have been long dead (he was hiding out in caves that were gloomy and dark and it seemed like they were tombs-v 3). Therefore, my spirit is overwhelmed (growing faint) within me; my heart (same as spirit) is appalled within me (cannot move because of fear and terror-v 4).”
Psa 143.5-6 talks about how David encourages himself, “I remember the days of old (the miracles you did for the fathers who were in trouble); I meditate (to speak out loud, to speak or mutter-Josh 1.8; 1 Sam 1.13) on all thy doings (in the Torah); I speak on the work of thy hands (notice the parallel between “meditate” and “speak”-v 5). I stretch out my hands to thee (in prayer, innocence); my soul longs for thee (thirsts), as a parched land (the strain of waiting is draining him-v 6).”
Psa 143.7-9 tells us that David needs a quick answer and guidance to be delivered from the wicked. “Answer me quickly, Yehovah, my spirit falls (he is very disappointed), do not hide thy face from me (ignore me), lest I become like those who go down to the pit (doomed to Sheol-v 7). Let me hear (root is “shema”) thy lovingkindness in the morning (quickly the next morning); for I trust in thee; teach me the way in which I would walk (to escape); for to thee I lift up my soul (v 8). Deliver me, Yehovah, from my enemies; I take refuge in thee (literally “towards you I am covered”-v 9).”
Psa 143.10-12 tells us that David wants to do God’s will, “Teach me to do your will (as revealed in the Torah; train and guide me), for thou art my God; let thy good Spirit lead me (do a work in my heart) on level ground (no obstacles-v 10). For the sake of thy name (that will be glorified when everyone hears how you saved me), Yehovah, revive me (with life and vitality so that I can publicly speak of the miracles you did for me). In thy righteousness (to his promises) bring my soul out of trouble (all distress-v 11). And in thy lovingkindness (mercy) cut off my enemies (who, if they succeed, will kill me) and destroy all those who afflict my soul (persecute my life); for I am your servant (anointed to be king over your people and as a believer who follows the Torah-v 12).”
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