Psalm 143 (142):11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Let us now allow our Lord to express Himself — may Christ, the entire Christ, speak through us. "Lord, hear my prayer; give ear to my supplications,” as Psalm 142:1 conveys. To hear and give ear are synonymous, serving to underline the importance of this appeal. "In Your faithfulness answer me, in Your righteousness." This call for careful attention to His righteousness is crucial, recognizing that no one among us can claim righteousness on our own. This truth reveals God's righteousness, a gift bestowed upon us. The Apostle Paul notes of those who boast in their own righteousness that they possess a zeal for God, albeit not in accordance with knowledge (Romans 10:2). They err by attributing their wrongdoings to God while claiming merit for their good deeds; true justification comes only when one recognizes their wrongs as their own failings and ascribes goodness to God. Therefore, in Your righteousness, hear me, for I see nothing in myself but sin.

And “do not enter into judgment with Your servant” (Psalm 142:2). Who dares challenge God except those ignorant of His righteousness who attempt to assert their own? "Why have we fasted and You have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves and You take no notice?" as Isaiah 58:3 asks, implying a complaint that they fulfilled His commands yet received no reward. The Lord responds, promising what is needed for them to receive His proclamations. He speaks to the proud, questioning, “Why do you contend with Me? All of you have sinned against Me” (Jeremiah 2:29). In Your presence, no one living can be justified. All who exist in the flesh, deriving life from Adam, might justify themselves but not before You. Self-justification leads only to self-satisfaction rather than true righteousness before God. Hence, I plead, do not enter into judgment with me, Lord my God; no matter how justified I may feel, it is through Your measure that I find I am crooked. As Your servant, I find it unworthy for You to contend with me or even with Your friend (Matthew 5:40). Consider even the Apostles, who were taught to pray as we do now, receiving a model of prayer from their divine Mentor. “Pray then like this” (Matthew 6:9), He instructed. And after stating certain truths, He directed the leaders of His sheep to likewise say, "Forgive us our debts" (Matthew 6:12). They did not claim past forgiveness; rather, they beseeched Him, "Forgive us as we also forgive."

Thus, the faithful prayed with sincerity, and the Apostles also prayed, as the Lord's Prayer is given especially to the faithful. If it referred solely to the debts washed away in Baptism, it would be better stated: "Forgive us our debts." Let the Apostles assert, "Forgive us our debts," and when questioned, “Why do you say this? What debts are yours?” They would respond, for not everyone living before You shall be justified.

"For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has brought my life down to the ground" (Psalm 142:3). Here, we speak as Christ speaks on our behalf. Indeed, the devil persecuted Christ's soul, as did Judas who betrayed Him; and today, the same devil continues to afflict the body of Christ through his own agents. Many can utter, "For the enemy persecutes my soul." The design of every antagonist is to steer us away from our heavenly aspirations toward earthly indulgences, pressuring us to surrender our faith and embrace the temporal. “They have placed me in dark places, like those who are dead in the world." This sentiment resonates more profoundly when expressed by the Head; Christ endured death, yet He was not among the dead of the world. Those who perish in this world do so having rejected righteousness, deserving of death through sin as it is written, "I was brought forth in iniquity." In stating His death, He claimed, “I fulfill the will of My Father, yet I do not merit death. My death is by My own doing to liberate those deserving of death.” He descends into depths akin to the grave or the Passion itself, experiencing death as the world knows it.

"My spirit is overwhelmed within me" (Psalm 142:4). Even in the depths of sorrow, "My soul is greatly distressed," as noted in Matthew 26:38. Here, we see one unified expression. The movement between Head and members is unmistakable.

"I remember the days of old" (Psalm 142:5). What does this reflection invoke? Not merely previous moments which echo creation, but it leads the body to declare, “Anyone justified by His grace, holding fast in love and humble reverence, remembers Your works. All that is created was established by You, and nothing exists apart from Your command." Creation itself is a testament of the Creator's glory. What purpose does this serve, but to confirm that every good arising within us is a product of His handiwork? Therefore, observe the Creator of your life, the source of your existence, righteousness, and salvation. Contemplate the work of His hands for the righteousness within you belongs to Him. "For we are His workmanship," the Apostle reminds us (Ephesians 2:10). We are His creations, not merely by human nature, but in the acts we perform. Yet we must not let pride dictate our actions; we are called to live and work out our salvation "with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12-13), for it is God who enables within us both the will and the ability to act according to His good pleasure.

"I stretch out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a dry land" (Psalm 142:6). This invocation seeks the rain from Heaven to bear good fruit. "Rain upon me" speaks of God's grace, for He blesses the earth so that it may flourish. My longing is directed toward Him; I can yearn for Him but cannot fulfill my own thirst.

"Hasten to answer me, O Lord" (Psalm 142:7). Why do You wait to satisfy my yearning when my thirst is acute? If delay serves to prepare me, then please pour forth Your Spirit upon me, for I am lost in spirit. I am spiritually impoverished; bless me in Your kingdom, as promised in Matthew 5:3. The one who dwells with a proud spirit turns from You, facing ruin.

"Do not hide Your face from me" (Psalm 142:8). Your withdrawal occurs in pride. I became weary in my abundance, declaring, “I shall not be moved,” unaware of Your righteousness and instead claiming my own. Yet all that I possess comes from You; when You turn away, I falter. Distress followed Your absence, and in my weariness, I became like a parched land. Do not withdraw Your presence, for when I was proud, you concealed Your face from me; now that I am humbled, I beseech You not to turn away again, lest I descend into despair. What affliction lies in the pit of despair for a sinner? Those who enter the darkness of sin often display contempt for all that is sacred. “Let not the pit shut its mouth against me," for I seek hope even when engulfed in darkness.

"Let me hear Your steadfast love in the morning, for in You I have put my trust" (Psalm 142:9). While darkness surrounds me, my confidence resides in You, knowing that the iniquities of night shall pass. As Peter reassures us, we possess a more certain prophetic word, which we should heed like a light shining in a dark place until the dawning of day arises in our hearts. This morning symbolizes the revelation to come, in which we will behold that which has been promised. Until that time, we must act, for our quest for God must be met with effort during this night of our existence. Our hands should be engaged in the good works He has prepared. Thus, we walk according to the prophecies, striving to adhere to the light of truth.

"Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord; in You I take refuge" (Psalm 142:10). I, who once fled You, now run toward You. Adam hid from the divine face among the trees of Eden, as noted in Job: “As a servant who flees from his master,” he sought refuge in shadows. Woe to him who remains in such shadows, for the shadow itself shall pass away like a vapor (Wisdom 5:9). With the rulers of this world, the powers of darkness, and all malevolence, we find ourselves in conflict. The struggle is immense; we strive to attain victory even when we cannot see the enemy directly. The struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spirits of darkness that govern this age, those who reject Christ, “for You, O Lord, I have sought refuge.”

"Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God" (Psalm 142:11). This acknowledgment is grand and profound! You are my God; I need not seek another. You alone are my sovereign, for the inheritance I desire is found in You. Should I look to another for redemption? You are my God. In this creation and recreation, I require Your guidance, for I cannot claim mastery over my own life while acknowledging You as my God. Your grace is paramount, and it is by Your Spirit, not my own corrupt nature, that I will be led into the land of truth. For my own spirit has led me astray.

"Revive me, O Lord, for Your name's sake; in Your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble" (Psalm 142:12). This revival is not by my merit but by Your mercy. If I relied on merit, I would be deserving only of punishment. You have stripped me bare of any claims, imparting upon me Your gifts. In Your mercy, rescue my soul from anguish, destroying my adversaries, for I am Your servant.

Furthermore, he reiterates his previous mention of the multitude of his afflictions: when he petitions God for revival, he indicates that he feels as if he is dead or sentenced to death, unless God, in Whose authority all life and death exists (Psalm 67:21), restores him through a miraculous resurrection.

To be brought down to the ground signifies being humiliated, crushed into dust, and pushed to the brink of death. The mention of darkness, as some interpret, serves as a metaphor for extreme distress, perhaps likened to Sheol, where the psalmist feels as though he is already consigned, similar to those severed from life and forgotten by the ages; he is sustained only by recalling the miraculous works of God’s grace from times past (v.5). Hence, with renewed confidence, he appeals to the Lord, yearning for His assistance (v.6).

"My soul to Thee" expresses that the psalmist's spirit is akin to the parched earth craving rain, symbolizing his desperate desire for renewal. He pleads for immediate help, as both his inner turmoil (my spirit is gone) and the external threats (I am like those who go down into the pit) weigh heavily upon him. He prays that the Lord, based on his trust (I have put my hope in Thee), will swiftly hear him and provide aid, instructing him in the righteous path, as righteousness is essential for receiving divine assistance (vv.7-8).

May the Lord rescue him from the grip of his adversaries and, to accomplish this, may He lead him to faithfully execute His will (vv.9-10). The path mentioned in v.8 and the basis of righteousness in v.10 refer to the way of moral integrity. Surely, He will fulfill this promise; His Spirit will lead the psalmist along the straight path of righteousness, safeguarding him from the shadow of death and liberating him from his enemies (vv.10-12).