Psalm 143 – Skeptic's Annotated Bible answered

A response and reply to the notes on Psalm 143 in the Skeptic's Annotated Bible (SAB).

King James Version

SAB comment

My comment


1 Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.

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

"For in thy sight shall no man living be justified."
Is anyone justified?
As there is none who has not sinned, there is no man who can stand before God. We can only be acquitted and come before God if there has been payment for our sins. So no one is justified by his works, but we can be justified by the works of Christ. That is why the psalmist asks for God's righteousness, that is Christ's righteousness in the previous verse (verse 1). If we have Christ's righteousness, God can and will hear us.
See also Matthew 12:37.

3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.

4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.

5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.

6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.

7 Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.

8 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

9 Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.

10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

11 Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.

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