Psalms 143:1-12

This is the last of the four psalms, and both in respect of the sense of helplessness and of assurance in God, it is more vivid and striking than either of them. So far as human situation is concerned, it is a cry of despair, and a terrible one indeed. The life is smitten, the spirit is overwhelmed, and the whole complaint ends with a statement, “My heart within me is desolate.” That final word “desolate” has in it the sob of an unillumined sea. Yet the psalm opens with an earnest cry to Jehovah, and after the declaration of need, it to the end a determined act of faith.

In the situation of complete helplessness the soul prepares for its prayer, and the words which indicate the method of preparation are interesting. “I remember... I meditate... I muse.” The issue of this is immediately declared, “I spread forth my hands unto Thee.” The earnestness of the soul is manifested in the urgent petitions which follow. “Make haste... hide not Thy face... cause me to hear... cause me to know... deliver me... teach me... quicken me.” Personal consecration in this endeavour to lay hold upon the infinite resource is manifest in the affirmations. “In Thee do I trust... I life up my soul unto Thee... I flee unto Thee to hide me,” and finally “I am Thy servant.” Through all the urgency and the earnestness there is also manifest an unshaken confidence. “Thou art my God” is the central word around which all the others gather.