The Enemy Has Persecuted My Soul - Psalms 143:3

In Psalms one hundred and forty three David said, “Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in your faithfulness answer me, and in your righteousness. And enter not into judgment with your servant: for in your sight shall no man living be justified”, and in chapter one hundred and forty three and verse three of Psalms David said “the enemy has persecuted my soul;” where we read,

For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has smitten my life down to the ground;

he has made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.

The verse begins, “For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has smitten my life down to the ground;” David began with the words, “for the enemy” or “because, since and on account that the hating foe and adversary” “has persecuted my soul” which means “has followed after, pursued, run after and harassed my, David's, heart, mind, will, desires, living being, conscience and seat of emotions and passions”; “he has smitten my life” or “he, David's enemies, have crushed, broken, shattered, bruised and destroyed my, David's, flowing, active and fresh living” “down to the ground” which means “toward the land, earth and piece of ground”. David shared how his hating foe not only pursued and harassed him, but also shattered and broke him down toward the ground.

The verse goes on to say, “he has made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.” David continued with the words, “he has made me” or “he, David's hating adversary, has caused, set, put and settled me, David” “to dwell in darkness” which means “to live, abide and remain within secrecy, hiding, the grave or a dark region”, “as those that have been long dead” or “similar to people who have been killed, executed and put to death”. David said his hating foe and adversary caused him to live in a dark region like unto people who have been put to death.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how David wanted Jehovah God to rescue Him from his foe. This adversary not only harassed him, but continually struck him toward the ground and caused him to live in a dark place that was like people who have been put to death. David was distressed. David was overwhelmed, and David was oppressed by his “enemy”, and yet, He knew to call out to Jehovah God for help. God knows us as well, and He loves us. He knew we would encounter great difficulties and opposition, and so He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we yield to Him as our personal “Lord and Savior”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and rescue us from those who are spiritually and physically against us in this world.

Next time David says, “my spirit overwhelmed within me”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

No Judgment for Your Servant - Psalms 143:2

In Psalms one hundred and forty three David said, “Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in your faithfulness answer me, and in your righteousness”, and in chapter one hundred and forty three and verse two of Psalms David said “enter not into judgment with your servant” where we read,

And enter not into judgment with your servant: for in your sight shall no man living be justified.

The verse begins, “And enter not into judgment with your servant:” David began with the words, “and enter not” or “do not be brought in, carried or introduced” “into judgment” which means “in an ordinance, act of deciding a case, court, process, procedure or litigation” “with your servant” or “alongside and near your, Jehovah God's, man of servile condition, slave, bondman and worshiper”. David beckoned Jehovah God not to be brought into procedure or litigation with him as His bondman and worshiper.

The verse continues, “for in your sight shall no man living be justified.” David added the words, “for in your sight” or “because, since and on account that within your, Jehovah God's, face, presence, person and countenance” “shall no man living” which means “will no person whether male or female that is alive, among the breathing and active” “be justified” or “exist as just, righteous and vindicated”. David said not one person would exist as righteous and vindicated within the presence and countenance of Jehovah God.

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how David appealed to Jehovah God concerning procedure and litigation against him. David knew no one is guiltless before God, and “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (See Romans 3:23), so He sent His Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we believe and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and be our advocate when we stand before our Holy God. (See 1 John 2:1)

Next time David says, “the enemy has persecuted my soul;”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

Hear My Prayer, O LORD - Psalms 143:1

Psalms one hundred and forty three begins with the phrase, “[[A Psalm of David.]]” which breaks down, “A Psalm” or “a poem or melody set to instrumental music” “of David” which means “belonging to David whose name means blessed and was the second king of Israel”, and in chapter one hundred and forty three and verse one of Psalms David said “Hear my prayer, O LORD” where we read,

Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications:

in your faithfulness answer me, and in your righteousness.

The verse begins, “Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications:” David began with the words, “hear my prayer” or “listen to, perceive and understand my, David's, intercession and supplication which by implication is a hymn”, “O LORD” which means “O Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God”, “give ear to my supplications” or “hearken, perceive and listen to my, David's, earnest entreaty and prayer”. David called upon Jehovah God to listen to and perceive his earnest oration and entreaty.

The verse goes on to say, “in your faithfulness answer me, and in your righteousness.” David continued with the words, “in your faithfulness” or “within your, Jehovah God's, firmness, fidelity, steadfastness and steadiness” “answer me” which means “utter tunefully and respond to me, David”, “and in your righteousness” or “and within your, Jehovah God's, rightness, justification, salvation and prosperity”. David appealed to Jehovah God to give heed to him in accordance with His fidelity, steadfastness, rightness and salvation.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover how David wanted Jehovah God to listen to his earnest intercessions and prayers, and he appealed to Jehovah God to employ His steadfastness and fidelity to hear him. God is righteous and holy, and He desires to have a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and listen to us when we earnestly cry out to Him.

Next time David says, “enter not into judgment with your servant:”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

Bring My Soul Out of Prison - Psalms 142:7

In Psalms one hundred and forty two David said, “I cried unto you, O LORD: I said, You are my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I”, and in chapter one hundred and forty two and verse seven of Psalms David said “bring my soul out of prison” where we read,

Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise your name: the righteous shall compass me about;

for you shall deal bountifully with me.

The verse begins, “Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise your name: the righteous shall compass me about;” David began with the words, “bring my soul” or “carry, bring forth and lead my, David's, heart, mind, will, desires, living being, conscience and seat of emotions and affections” “out of prison” which means “from the bonds of the dungeon or fastened and locked place”, “that I may praise your name” or “so I, David, give thanks to, confess, revere and worship your, Jehovah God's, fame, reputation and glory”: “the righteous” which means “the right, just, lawful and correct” “shall compass me about” or “will surround and encompass me, David”. David wanted Jehovah God to deliver him from the dungeon so that he could give Him praise, honor and adoration which would result in people who are just, right and lawful surrounding him.

The verse goes on to say, “for you shall deal bountifully with me.” David continued with the words, “for you shall deal” or “because, since and on account that you, Jehovah God, will recompense, bestow and reward” “bountifully with me” which means “in a great, mighty and beneficial way with David”. David knew “righteous” people would gather around him because God recompensed him in a mighty and beneficial way.

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how David desired that Jehovah God rescue him from the dungeon like circumstances wherein he found himself. David was in a cave like prison, and should he be delivered by God, he would honor, praise and give thanks to God for His mighty reward. God wants to deliver all of us from the penalty for sin which is death, (See Romans 6:23) and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we surrender our lives to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and rescue us in such a manner that we will give Him thanks and tell others of His mighty rescue.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see David say, “Hear my prayer, O LORD”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

Attend Unto My Cry - Psalms 142:6

In Psalms one hundred and forty two David said, “I cried unto you, O LORD: I said, You are my refuge and my portion in the land of the living”, and in chapter one hundred and forty two and verse six of Psalms David said “attend unto my cry” where we read,

Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low:

deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

The verse begins, “Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low:” David began with the words, “attend unto my cry” or “hear, be attentive to, heed, hearken and listen to my, David's, entreaty, supplication, proclamation and shout”; “for I am brought very low” which means “because, since and on account that I, David, exist as hanging down, languishing and distressed in a great, sore and exceedingly mighty feebleness”. David appealed to Jehovah God to listen to his ringing shout because he was distressed in an abundantly weak way.

The verse continues, “deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.” David added the words, “deliver me” or “rescue, save and liberate me, David” “from my persecutors” which means “separate and apart from my, David's, pursuers and chasers with hostile intent”; “for they are stronger than I” or “because, since and on account that they, David's persecutors, exist as more courageous, brave, bold, hardened and secure than I, David”. David beckoned Jehovah God to rescue him from people who were hostile and pursued him, and these people were more courageous, brave and stronger than him.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how David appealed to Jehovah God at the time he was languishing and depressed. David needed to be rescued from people who were not only pursuing him, like Saul, but also because his foes were mightier than him. (See 1 Samuel 24:8-22) God knows when we feel down, and when others who are more powerful than we are pursue us, we desire to be protected and liberated from them. God desires to deliver us from our greatest foe, Satan, who wants to destroy us eternally through sin. God's Son Jesus was sent into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and He offers us salvation, forgiveness and eternal life when we believe and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”. Let us “cry out” to God to be “delivered” from our enemies who are stronger than we are but who pale in comparison to the might of Almighty God and His Son Jesus.

Next time David says to Jehovah God, “bring my soul out of prison”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".