Psalms 143:10

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Teach {H3925} me to do {H6213} thy will {H7522}; for thou art my God {H430}: thy spirit {H7307} is good {H2896}; lead {H5148} me into the land {H776} of uprightness {H4334}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Teach me to do your will, because you are my God; Let your good Spirit guide me on ground that is level.

Berean Standard Bible

Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

American Standard Version

Teach me to do thy will; For thou art my God: Thy Spirit is good; Lead me in the land of uprightness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 143:10 is a profound and poignant prayer from David, likely penned during a period of intense distress and persecution. It represents a pivot from lament and desperate appeals for deliverance to a fervent plea for divine instruction and guidance. The verse encapsulates a deep yearning for spiritual direction, a humble acknowledgment of God's sovereignty, and a desire for a life characterized by active obedience and moral integrity, all empowered by the benevolent leading of God's Spirit.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 143 is the last of the seven traditional Penitential Psalms (Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143), characterized by expressions of sorrow for sin, confession, and pleas for mercy. The preceding verses of Psalm 143 vividly portray the psalmist's overwhelming despair, his spirit fainting within him, and his desperate longing for God's intervention in the face of relentless adversaries. He recounts God's past deeds, meditating on His works, and stretches out his hands in prayer, crying out for a swift answer lest he become like those who go down to the pit. Amidst this profound suffering and sense of abandonment, verse 10 marks a crucial turning point, shifting from a focus on external deliverance to an internal transformation and a renewed commitment to God's will as the ultimate path to true peace and stability.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the superscription attributes Psalm 143 to David, the specific historical circumstances are not stated. Many scholars suggest it was written during a time of intense persecution, possibly during his flight from King Saul (as seen in [David's flight from Saul](/1_samuel/23 "1 Samuel 23 - David's Flight from Saul")) or from his son Absalom ([Absalom's rebellion](/2_samuel/15-18 "2 Samuel 15-18 - Absalom's Rebellion")). In ancient Israel, kings and leaders were expected to uphold justice and righteousness, and David, despite his flaws, consistently sought divine guidance for his actions. The concept of "land of uprightness" would have resonated with the Israelite understanding of the Promised Land as a place where God's covenant people were to live in accordance with His righteous laws, contrasting with the chaotic and morally corrupt nations around them. The prayer reflects a deep understanding of God as the ultimate source of wisdom and the only reliable guide in a treacherous world.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Instruction and Obedience**, emphasizing a humble recognition of human inadequacy and a profound dependence on God for understanding and enacting His purposes. It's not merely a request for intellectual knowledge but for the practical ability and willingness to obey actively, echoing the call throughout Scripture for God's people to walk in His ways, as seen in [Deuteronomy 5:33](/deuteronomy/5-33 "Deuteronomy 5:33 - Walk in All the Ways the Lord Has Commanded"). Secondly, the phrase "for thou art my God" underscores the theme of **God's Sovereignty and Personal Relationship**, serving as the foundational declaration of trust and belonging, affirming God's absolute authority and the psalmist's submission. Thirdly, "thy spirit is good" introduces the theme of **The Benevolent Guidance of God's Spirit**, anticipating the active role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers to understand and follow God's commands, a theme more fully developed in the New Testament, particularly in [John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit as Teacher and Helper"). Finally, "lead me into the land of uprightness" speaks to the theme of **The Path of Righteousness**, signifying a deep desire for a life of integrity, justice, and moral rectitude, consistently lived according to God's righteous standards.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Teach (Hebrew, _lâmad'_ H3925):** This primitive root signifies more than just imparting information; it properly means "to goad," implying a process of making one accustomed or trained through diligent instruction and experience. It suggests a hands-on, active engagement that leads to skill and habituation. The psalmist is not merely asking for intellectual knowledge of God's will but for the divine enablement and discipline to embody and live it out consistently.
* **Spirit (Hebrew, _rûwach'_ H7307):** This multifaceted word can refer to wind, breath, or, as here, the animating "spirit" of a rational being. When attributed to God, it denotes His active, life-giving, and guiding presence—His divine essence, power, and active influence. The declaration that God's spirit "is good" emphasizes its inherently pure, benevolent, and beneficial nature, assuring that its guidance will always lead to what is truly right, wholesome, and conducive to spiritual flourishing.
* **Uprightness (Hebrew, _mîyshôwr'_ H4334):** Derived from a root meaning "to be straight," this term refers to a level place or plain, but figuratively, it denotes concord, straightness, justice, and equity. In the phrase "land of uprightness," it symbolizes a state or path of moral rectitude, fairness, and integrity. It is not a literal geographical location but a spiritual and ethical condition where one's life and actions are consistently aligned with God's righteous standards, characterized by stability, moral soundness, and a lack of deviation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Teach me to do thy will;":** This opening clause expresses profound humility and dependence. The psalmist acknowledges his own inability to discern or perfectly execute God's will without divine instruction. The request is not merely for intellectual knowledge ("teach me *what* thy will is") but for empowerment and practical application ("teach me *to do* thy will"), indicating a deep desire for active, ongoing obedience.
* **"for thou art my God:":** This declaration serves as the foundational premise for the entire prayer. It is a statement of covenant relationship, personal trust, and submission. The psalmist appeals to God based on who God is to him—his sovereign, his faithful provider, his ultimate authority. This intimate relationship establishes the right and the confidence to ask for divine guidance and intervention.
* **"thy spirit is good;":** This clause affirms the character of God's Spirit and, by extension, God Himself. The inherent goodness of God's Spirit guarantees that any instruction or leading received will be for the psalmist's ultimate well-being and righteousness. It implies a benevolent and trustworthy guide, whose intentions are always pure, whose direction is always beneficial, and whose power is always for good.
* **"lead me into the land of uprightness.":** This is the culmination of the prayer, a request for divine guidance not to a physical destination, but to a moral and spiritual state. The "land of uprightness" is a rich metaphor for a life lived in integrity, justice, and moral rectitude, where one's path is straight and true according to God's righteous standards. It signifies a deep desire for stability, peace, and flourishing that comes from walking in alignment with God's perfect and righteous will.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 143:10 employs several literary devices to convey its earnest plea and profound spiritual longing. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, powerfully illustrated by the phrase "land of uprightness." This is not a literal geographical location but a symbolic representation of a life characterized by moral integrity, justice, and righteousness. The psalmist yearns to be guided into a state of being where his actions and character consistently reflect God's holy standards. Additionally, there is an element of **Personification** in the description of God's "spirit" as "good" and capable of "leading." While the Holy Spirit is indeed a divine Person, the language here attributes human-like qualities of benevolent guidance and active direction, making the divine presence more relatable and immediate to the psalmist's experience. Finally, the entire verse functions as an **Apostrophe**, a direct and intimate address to God ("thy will," "my God," "thy spirit," "lead me"). This direct address underscores the personal, desperate, and deeply reliant nature of the psalmist's prayer, highlighting his profound dependence on God alone for guidance and sustenance in a time of distress.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 143:10 resonates deeply with the overarching biblical narrative of humanity's inherent need for divine guidance and God's faithful provision of it. It beautifully articulates the human longing for purpose and direction, recognizing that true flourishing and moral stability are found only in alignment with the Creator's will. The prayer anticipates the New Covenant reality where God's law is written on the hearts of believers, empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to walk in obedience. It underscores that spiritual growth is not merely about knowing God's commands intellectually, but about actively yielding to His Spirit's transformative work, leading to a life of practical righteousness and integrity. This verse serves as a timeless model for believers seeking to navigate a complex world, reminding us that our ultimate guide is the good Spirit of God, who leads us into paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

* [Psalm 23:3](/psalms/23-3 "Psalm 23:3 - He Leads Me in Paths of Righteousness")
* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart")
* [Romans 8:14](/romans/8-14 "Romans 8:14 - Led by the Spirit of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 143:10 offers a profound template for our own spiritual journey, particularly in times of uncertainty, distress, or when discerning God's path. It calls us to cultivate a posture of humble dependence, acknowledging that our wisdom is finite and our ability to live righteously is limited without divine aid. The psalmist's prayer reminds us that true freedom, stability, and peace are found not in self-reliance, but in surrendering to God's will, trusting in the inherent goodness of His Spirit to guide us. This means actively seeking His word, listening for His promptings through prayer and contemplation, and being willing to step out in obedience even when the path is unclear or challenging. It encourages a daily, conscious reliance on the Holy Spirit to illuminate truth, empower obedience, and shape our character into the "land of uprightness"—a life reflecting God's integrity and justice in all our dealings. This prayer is a powerful reminder that our deepest desire should be not just for deliverance *from* trouble, but for spiritual transformation *through* trouble, enabling us to walk faithfully in God's ways.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you most need God to "teach" you and "lead" you today?**
* **How does acknowledging God as "my God" strengthen your trust in His guidance, especially when His will seems challenging or counter-intuitive?**
* **What does it mean practically for you to live in the "land of uprightness" in your daily decisions, relationships, and professional conduct?**

### FAQ
**What does "land of uprightness" mean in this verse?**

Answer: The "land of uprightness" (Hebrew: _ʼerets mîyshôwr_) is not a literal geographical location but a powerful metaphor for a state of moral and spiritual integrity, justice, and rectitude. It signifies a life lived in alignment with God's righteous standards, where one's actions, character, and path are straight, fair, and true. It implies a condition of spiritual flourishing and stability that results from walking in obedience to God's will, guided by His good Spirit. It contrasts with a crooked or perverse path, symbolizing a life of faithfulness and moral consistency that brings peace and blessing.

**How does God "teach" us His will today?**

Answer: God teaches us His will primarily through His inspired Word, the Bible, which is "profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness" as stated in [2 Timothy 3:16 "2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is God-breathed"]. He also teaches us through the indwelling Holy Spirit, who illuminates Scripture, brings conviction, and guides us in discernment, as Jesus promised in [John 16:13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth Guides"]. Additionally, God uses wise counsel from mature believers, the circumstances of our lives, and even our conscience, all working in harmony with His revealed Word, to instruct us in His ways. The process is often ongoing, requiring prayerful dependence, an open heart, and a willingness to obey.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 143:10 finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The psalmist's earnest plea, "Teach me to do thy will," echoes the very life and mission of Christ, who perfectly embodied obedience to the Father's will. Jesus Himself declared, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work" ([John 4:34 "John 4:34 - Jesus' Food is Doing God's Will"]), and He came into the world saying, "Behold, I have come... to do Your will, O God" ([Hebrews 10:7 "Hebrews 10:7 - Jesus Comes to Do God's Will"]). He is the ultimate "land of uprightness," for in Him, righteousness is not just a destination but a Person, and all who are in Him are made righteous ([2 Corinthians 5:21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us"]). Furthermore, the prayer for God's "good spirit" to "lead me" is gloriously fulfilled in the New Covenant. Christ, having accomplished redemption, sent the Holy Spirit—the very Spirit of God—to indwell believers. This Spirit is indeed "good," leading us into all truth ([John 16:13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth Guides"]), empowering us to walk in newness of life ([Romans 8:4 "Romans 8:4 - Righteousness of the Law Fulfilled in Us"]), and conforming us to the image of Christ ([Romans 8:29 "Romans 8:29 - Conformed to the Image of His Son"]). Through Christ, we are not only taught God's will but are also given the divine capacity, through His Spirit, to live lives of true uprightness, fulfilling the deepest longings of the psalmist's heart.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 25:4

Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.

Psalms 25:5

Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou [art] the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

John 14:26

But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Hebrews 13:21

Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Psalms 23:3

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Nehemiah 9:20

Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.

Psalms 119:12

¶ Blessed [art] thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.