Read Psalm 143
Questions from the Scripture text: Whose Psalm is this (superscript)? What does Psalm 143:1a–b call this Psalm? And what does it ask God to do with it? And, once heard, then what (verse 1c–d)? According to what two attributes of His? What does the psalmist plead with God not to do (Psalm 143:2a)? Why does he need this (verse 2b)? Who has done what to him (Psalm 143:3)? With what result (Psalm 143:4)? What does he remember (Psalm 143:5a)? What does he do, as he remembers (verse 5b–c)? How do these meditations induce him to respond to his current situation (Psalm 143:6)? Why is his plea so urgent (Psalm 143:7a–b)? Whom will he be like, if the Lord hides His face from him (verse 7c–d)? What does he want to hear (Psalm 143:8a)? When? Why (verse 8b)? What does he wish to know (verse 8c)? Why (verse 8d)? What does he ask the Lord to do in Psalm 143:9? And what does he ask Him to do in Psalm 143:10a? Why (verse 10b)? And what does he ask Him to do in v10d? Why (verse 10c)? And what does he ask Him to do in Psalm 143:11a? Why? And what does he ask Him to do in verse 11b? Why? What does he ask Him to do to his enemies (Psalm 143:12a–b)? Why (verse 12c)?
What is the purpose of crushing trial in believers’ lives? Psalm 143 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that crushing trials throw believers upon the Lord Himself and His mercy.
Crushing circumstances. Believers experiences may be literally crushing and overwhelming. Here, David has had his life “crushed to the ground […] like those who have been long dead” (Psalm 143:3). His spirit is overwhelmed (Psalm 143:4a), his heart is distressed (verse 4b), and indeed his spirit fails (Psalm 143:7b). Dear reader, do not be surprised when the fiery trial comes upon you, and when you are overwhelmed by it. If this were not to be expected, your Lord would not have given you psalms like this to help you in them.
The cure of faith. What is the cure for a heart under such circumstances? To turn the mind and heart from the circumstances to the Lord Himself. Remember Him, and therefore remember the days of old (Psalm 143:5a), because before the mountains were brought forth, YHWH has been God from everlasting (cf. Psalm 90:2), and all of creation and providence have been the works of His hands (Psalm 143:5b–c). It is so easy to get obsessed with our circumstances; we need to lift our eyes/hearts/thoughts from them to the Lord. He has given us set times for doing so, and taught us to take this meditation upon Him into the rest of our life as well. What is your habit of meditation upon the Lord? How much you will need it to be robust, when the overwhelming days come!
The object of faith. But remembering Him is more than just remembering theological facts. It is remembering a Person, reaching out for Him with your whole self (hands and soul, Psalm 143:6), desiring the favorable lifting of His face to us (Psalm 143:7c) and the sound of His steadfast love (Psalm 143:8). David doesn’t just ask YHWH to provide a shelter; he asks Him Himself to be the shelter (Psalm 143:9). Eternal life is a personal relationship: to know the only true God and Jesus Christ, Whom He has sent (cf. John 17:3).
The activity of faith. Finding the Lord as our shelter puts all our hope in Him, but it doesn’t mean inactivity or passivity. Notice that trusting in Him and lifting the soul up to Him in Psalm 143:8b, d surround the request for Him to make David know the way in which he should walk. Taking shelter in Him (Psalm 143:9b) involves learning from Him to do His will (Psalm 143:10a) and being led by His Spirit in the land of uprightness (verse 10c–d). When it comes to the distress of a situation, or where your hope is within it, you must indeed “let go, and let God.” But you must never think of this as justifying a lack of study, diligence, or zeal. Biblical faith is active and vigorous.
The hope of faith: mercy not merit. If David is (or we are) to find refuge in Him, it will have to be by way of mercy, not merit. David asks Him to do it for His own Name’s sake (Psalm 143:11), and even to avenge him out of mercy (Psalm 143:12), because David knows that no one has the righteousness by which to merit good reward from God (Psalm 143:2). Our hearts can import the certainties of Psalm 130 into the prayer of Psalm 143:2. We cry to Him from the depths, for mercy, because with Him is forgiveness that He may be feared. The assurance that He is a forgiving God is the hope of those who long for Him. Even that longing has come by grace, and that grace will surely attain its desire.
What crushing circumstances have you been in? How prepared for such circumstances would you be, based upon your current habits of drawing near to the Lord and meditating upon Him? How do trust and activity currently go together in your walk with the Lord? What might it look like for your heart to rest more upon mercy than merit?
Sample prayer: Lord, for Your Name’s sake revive us, and lead us in the land of uprightness. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. So, grant unto us to remember the days of old, and to meditate upon all Your works and the work of Your hands. Creation and providence show forth Your praise. Fill our minds and hearts with that praise. Come to us in Your mercy, and shine Your face upon us in Christ, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP143A “O Lord, My Spirit Fails” or TPH130A “Lord, from the Depths to You I Cry!”
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