Psalms 141:8

But mine eyes [are] unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.

But mine eyes {H5869} are unto thee, O GOD {H3069} the Lord {H136}: in thee is my trust {H2620}; leave {H6168} not my soul {H5315} destitute {H6168}.

For my eyes, ADONAI, Adonai, are on you; in you I take refuge; don't pour out my life.

But my eyes are fixed on You, O GOD the Lord. In You I seek refuge; do not leave my soul defenseless.

For mine eyes are unto thee, O Jehovah the Lord: In thee do I take refuge; leave not my soul destitute.

Commentary

Psalms 141:8 (KJV) declares, "But mine eyes [are] unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute." This verse is a powerful declaration of absolute dependence and unwavering faith in God amidst distress.

Context

Psalm 141 is a prayer of David, likely composed during a time of intense personal danger and temptation. Throughout the psalm, David pleads for God to hear his prayer, to guard his mouth from sinful words, and to keep his heart from evil desires. He also prays for protection from the snares and temptations of the wicked who surround him. Verse 8 marks a significant shift in focus, moving from the immediate threats and David's own human frailties to his ultimate source of hope and security: God alone. It encapsulates the deep spiritual posture of someone who, despite overwhelming circumstances, fixes their gaze and trust entirely on the Divine.

Key Themes

  • Unwavering Divine Focus: The phrase "mine eyes [are] unto thee" signifies a complete and intentional directing of one's attention, expectation, and hope towards God. It's a posture of profound reliance, acknowledging that true help and deliverance can only come from Him. This echoes the sentiment of Psalm 121:1-2, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD."
  • Absolute Trust and Confidence: "In thee is my trust" emphasizes a deep, active faith. It's not merely passive hope but a confident reliance on God's character, power, and faithfulness to intervene and save. This trust is the bedrock of the psalmist's petition, even when all human avenues seem closed.
  • Plea Against Spiritual Destitution: The petition "leave not my soul destitute" is a fervent cry against being abandoned, left helpless, or spiritually empty. The Hebrew word for "destitute" ('ariyri) can imply being stripped bare, desolate, or without aid. David fears not just physical danger but spiritual and emotional abandonment, highlighting his need for God's sustaining presence.
  • God as Sovereign Lord: Addressing God as "O GOD the Lord" (often reflecting the Hebrew Adonai YHWH or Adonai Elohim) underscores His supreme authority and covenant faithfulness. It acknowledges Him as the ultimate Master and the ever-present, relational God who keeps His promises.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "trust" here is yachal (Χ™ΦΈΧ—Φ·Χœ), which conveys a sense of waiting with patient endurance and confident expectation. It's an active hope rooted in God's reliability. The term "destitute" ('ariyri) vividly paints a picture of being left barren, defenceless, or utterly without resources, emphasizing the psalmist's profound vulnerability without God's intervention. This plea highlights the depth of David's dependence and his fear of being utterly alone in his struggles.

Practical Application

Psalms 141:8 offers a timeless model for prayer and faith in challenging times. When faced with difficulties, temptations, or feelings of helplessness, this verse reminds us to:

  • Fix Our Gaze on God: Instead of dwelling on problems, consciously direct our attention and expectation towards the Lord. This posture of faith shifts our perspective from fear to divine possibility.
  • Declare Our Trust: Actively confess our reliance on God. Speaking our trust strengthens our faith and reminds us of God's unchanging nature. This is a vital act of worship and spiritual fortitude, knowing that God has promised never to leave nor forsake His people.
  • Pray Against Spiritual Emptiness: Acknowledge our need for God's sustaining presence and protection against spiritual barrenness, despair, or falling away. This verse encourages us to pray boldly for God to fill us and keep us from being truly "destitute" in spirit.

This verse serves as a powerful anchor for believers, affirming that in God alone can we find our true hope, security, and deliverance from all forms of destitution.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 123:1

    ΒΆ A Song of degrees. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.

  • Psalms 123:2

    Behold, as the eyes of servants [look] unto the hand of their masters, [and] as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes [wait] upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.

  • 2 Chronicles 20:12

    O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes [are] upon thee.

  • Isaiah 41:17

    [When] the poor and needy seek water, and [there is] none, [and] their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.

  • Psalms 102:17

    He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.

  • Psalms 25:15

    ΒΆ Mine eyes [are] ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.

  • Psalms 25:17

    The troubles of my heart are enlarged: [O] bring thou me out of my distresses.
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