Psalms 143:3

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.

For the enemy {H341} hath persecuted {H7291} my soul {H5315}; he hath smitten {H1792} my life {H2416} down {H1792} to the ground {H776}; he hath made me to dwell {H3427} in darkness {H4285}, as those that have been long {H5769} dead {H4191}.

For an enemy is pursuing me; he has crushed my life into the ground and left me to live in darkness, like those who have been long dead.

For the enemy has pursued my soul, crushing my life to the ground, making me dwell in darkness like those long since dead.

For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; He hath smitten my life down to the ground: He hath made me to dwell in dark places, as those that have been long dead.

Commentary

Psalm 143:3 vividly portrays the psalmist's profound distress and the crushing impact of his adversaries. This verse is a heartfelt cry from a soul overwhelmed by persecution, describing a state of being utterly defeated, humiliated, and plunged into deep despair, akin to the lifelessness of the long departed.

Context

Psalm 143 is a lamentation, a prayer of desperate appeal to God for help and deliverance. Often attributed to David, it reflects a time of intense personal suffering and external threat, where he feels unjustly persecuted. This particular verse details the severity of the enemy's actions, setting the stage for the psalmist's earnest plea for God's mercy and guidance in the verses that follow. It exemplifies the raw honesty of biblical lament, where the sufferer pours out their heart to God, even from the depths of despair, seeking divine intervention. Similar expressions of distress can be found in other psalms, such as Psalm 6:3 or Psalm 42:7.

Key Themes

  • Profound Oppression and Persecution: The phrase "the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground" conveys an overwhelming and relentless attack. This isn't just physical harm, but a deep spiritual and emotional assault that seeks to utterly destroy the psalmist's sense of self and hope. The enemy's goal is to bring about complete ruin and humiliation.
  • Despair and Near-Death State: "He hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead" paints a picture of extreme hopelessness, isolation, and a feeling of being utterly without life or vitality. The "darkness" (choshek in Hebrew) here is symbolic of misery, sorrow, and spiritual desolation, a state where light and hope are absent. This profound sense of abandonment and despair resonates with the feeling of being forgotten, much like the dead who are out of mind.
  • Spiritual Warfare and Adversity: While the "enemy" could be human adversaries, the intensity of the language often suggests a spiritual dimension to the conflict, or at least a profound internal struggle exacerbated by external pressures. It speaks to the oppressive nature of evil forces or circumstances that seek to crush one's spirit. Believers today can relate this to the schemes of the adversary mentioned in passages like Ephesians 6:12.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "persecuted" (ืจึธื“ึทืฃ - radaph) implies a relentless, pursuing attack, not just a casual harassment. It suggests being hunted down.
  • "Smitten... down to the ground" (ื”ึดื›ึผึธื”... ืึธืจึฐืฆึธื” - hikkah... artzah) vividly describes a forceful blow that brings one to utter defeat, humiliation, and powerlessness. It signifies being completely knocked down and rendered helpless.
  • "Darkness" (ื—ึนืฉืึถืšึฐ - choshek) is a powerful metaphor throughout the Bible, often representing evil, ignorance, distress, or the absence of God's presence and light. Here, it denotes a state of profound despair and spiritual bleakness. This contrasts sharply with God's nature as light, as seen in John 1:5.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound resonance for anyone experiencing overwhelming trials, spiritual oppression, or deep depression. It validates the raw emotions of despair and the feeling of being utterly broken by life's circumstances or the attacks of an adversary. It reminds us that it is permissible to express such profound pain and brokenness honestly before God. Even when feeling "smitten down to the ground" or dwelling "in darkness as those that have been long dead," the psalmist's cry is still directed to the living God. This serves as a powerful reminder that even in our lowest moments, we are called to turn to the Lord for deliverance, hope, and the light that can dispel any darkness.

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

Cross-References

  • Lamentations 3:6

    He hath set me in dark places, as [they that be] dead of old.

  • Psalms 7:1

    ยถ Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the LORD, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite. O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:

  • Psalms 7:2

    Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending [it] in pieces, while [there is] none to deliver.

  • Psalms 7:5

    Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take [it]; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.

  • Psalms 35:4

    Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.

  • Psalms 142:6

    Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

  • Psalms 17:9

    From the wicked that oppress me, [from] my deadly enemies, [who] compass me about.
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