Psalm 143:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies, and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant.

NIV: In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.

NASB: And in Your faithfulness, destroy my enemies, And eliminate all those who attack my soul, For I am Your servant.

CSB: and in your faithful love destroy my enemies. Wipe out all those who attack me, for I am your servant.

NLT: In your unfailing love, silence all my enemies and destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.

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

NKJV: In Your mercy cut off my enemies, And destroy all those who afflict my soul; For I am Your servant.

Psalm 143:7–12 highlights the urgency of David's prayer (Psalm 143:1–6). He prays for immediate aid and guidance, noting that he is fleeing enemies and still seeking the Lord's will. There is still a sense of confidence in this prayer. David fully expects his opponents to be defeated.

David begins by appealing to God's goodness and loyal love. He acknowledges his own imperfections. He prays to be saved from the threat of violent enemies. These opponents overwhelm David, driving him into a dark, weak feeling. Yet David is encouraged to look back on all the times the Lord has provided rescue. David ties this anticipated salvation to his intent to praise and worship God as their mutual enemies are defeated.

This psalm combines several themes seen in David's other songs. He calls for rescue (Psalm 16:1; 25:19–20), admits his natural weakness against sin (Psalm 51:4–5; 141:3–4), recalls God's prior works (Psalm 145:4–5), asks for guidance (Psalm 25:5), and expresses confidence (Psalm 16:10; 138:7–8). Possible inspirations are the persecutions of Saul (1 Samuel 19:1–2) and the rebellion of Absalom (2 Samuel 15:13–14).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 7/13/2025 10:20:21 PM