Psalms 143:6

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

I stretch forth {H6566} my hands {H3027} unto thee: my soul {H5315} thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty {H5889} land {H776}. Selah {H5542}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I spread out my hands to you, I long for you like a thirsty land. (Selah)

Berean Standard Bible

I stretch out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land. Selah

American Standard Version

I spread forth my hands unto thee: My soulthirstethafter thee, as a weary land. [Selah

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 143:6 is a profound expression of spiritual desperation and unreserved dependence on God, articulated through the vivid imagery of a parched land longing for water. David, in a state of deep distress, stretches out his hands in supplication, signifying a complete surrender and earnest plea for divine intervention. His soul's intense thirst for God underscores a fundamental human need for the Creator's presence and provision, asserting that only God can satisfy the deepest yearnings of the human spirit amidst overwhelming trials.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 143 is the last of the seven traditional penitential psalms (Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143), characterized by a profound sense of personal sin, sorrow, and an earnest plea for divine mercy. As a lament psalm, it captures David's heart poured out to God from a place of intense suffering and persecution, likely at the hands of his enemies. The preceding verses ([Psalms 143:1-5](/psalms/143-1-5 "Psalm 143:1-5 - David's Plea and Meditation")) detail his dire circumstances, his spirit failing within him, and his meditation on God's past acts of deliverance and faithfulness. Verse 6 marks a pivotal moment, shifting from a description of his plight to an active, intense expression of his sole hope and yearning for God, thereby setting the stage for his subsequent earnest prayers for guidance and deliverance. This verse powerfully highlights the depth of his personal relationship with God, even in the midst of overwhelming despair and spiritual depletion.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the precise historical setting for Psalm 143 is not explicitly stated, tradition often attributes it to David during a period of intense flight and persecution, such as during Absalom's rebellion ([2 Samuel 15-18](/2_samuel/15 "2 Samuel 15 - Absalom's Rebellion")) or Saul's relentless pursuit ([1 Samuel 19-24](/1_samuel/19 "1 Samuel 19 - Saul's Pursuit of David")). The act of "stretching forth my hands" was a common and deeply significant posture of prayer and supplication in the ancient Near East, symbolizing surrender, earnest appeal, and an open reception of divine aid. It conveyed a posture of complete reliance and vulnerability before a deity. The vivid imagery of a "thirsty land" resonates profoundly with the arid climate of ancient Israel, where water was a precious and often scarce commodity, making the need for rain a matter of survival. This cultural understanding amplifies the desperation conveyed by David's spiritual thirst, as it equates his soul's existential need for God with the land's life-or-death dependence on water.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. The most prominent is **Profound Spiritual Thirst**, where the soul's yearning for God is likened to a parched earth craving water, a metaphor found throughout Scripture to describe intense spiritual longing (e.g., [Psalm 42:1-2](/psalms/42-1-2 "Psalm 42:1-2 - As a Deer Pants for Water")). This theme is intricately intertwined with **Desperation and Helplessness**, as the parched land cannot quench its own thirst, emphasizing David's utter dependence on God for relief and sustenance. The physical act of "stretching forth hands" highlights **Active Supplication and Earnest Prayer**, portraying a sincere and unreserved reaching out to God, a posture of humility, vulnerability, and expectation. Finally, the verse underscores **Sole Dependence on God**, affirming Him as the exclusive source of comfort, guidance, and salvation, especially when all other human resources and hopes have failed, a truth echoed in passages like [Psalm 62:1](/psalms/62-1 "Psalm 62:1 - My Soul Waits for God Alone").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **stretch forth (Hebrew, _pâras'_):** (H6566) This primitive root means "to break apart, disperse, etc.; break, chop in pieces, lay open, scatter, spread (abroad, forth, selves, out), stretch (forth, out)." In this context, it denotes an active, outward extension, specifically of the hands. It signifies an unreserved opening, an act of laying oneself bare and vulnerable before God, indicating a desperate and earnest appeal. This is not a casual gesture but a deliberate, full-body expression of profound need and surrender.
* **soul (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** (H5315) Derived from a root meaning "to breathe," _nephesh_ properly refers to a "breathing creature," or abstractly, "vitality." It is used very widely to encompass the entire person – their life, appetite, desire, mind, heart, and self. When David says "my soul thirsteth," it signifies that his entire inner being, his very essence and life force, is consumed by this profound longing for God. It's not merely a physical thirst, but a deep, existential craving that permeates his whole being, indicating a complete spiritual emptiness apart from divine presence.
* **thirsty (Hebrew, _ʻâyêph'_):** (H5889) This adjective means "languid; faint, thirsty, weary." It describes a state of extreme physical or spiritual exhaustion and dehydration. When applied to the "land," it vividly paints a picture of barrenness, dryness, and an urgent, life-threatening need for water. When applied to the soul, it conveys a spiritual emptiness, a profound weariness, and an intense, urgent craving that only divine presence and provision can satisfy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I stretch forth my hands unto thee:"** This clause describes an active, intentional posture of prayer and supplication. The physical act of stretching out hands signifies a complete surrender, an open posture of receptivity, and a desperate plea. It conveys David's unreserved turning to God as his only hope, laying bare his vulnerability and utter dependence, indicating that he has exhausted all other avenues of help.
* **"my soul thirsteth after thee,"** This is the heart of the verse, expressing an intense, internal spiritual longing. The "soul" (_nephesh_), representing David's entire inner being—his mind, will, and emotions—is consumed by a profound craving for God's presence, intervention, and favor. This thirst is not merely a desire but an urgent, existential need that permeates his very essence, highlighting a deep spiritual void that only God can fill.
* **"as a thirsty land."** This phrase employs a powerful simile, likening the soul's desperate craving to a parched, barren land desperately needing life-giving rain. This imagery vividly conveys the depth of David's spiritual dryness and the absolute necessity of God's refreshing presence to sustain his life and spirit. Just as a desert landscape withers and dies without water, so too does the soul without the vital presence and provision of God.
* **"Selah."** This concluding interjection serves as a liturgical instruction, prompting a pause for reflection. It encourages the reader or listener to meditate deeply on the profound spiritual truth and emotional intensity expressed in the preceding lines, allowing the powerful imagery of desperate longing and complete dependence to fully resonate and sink into the heart, inviting personal contemplation and spiritual absorption.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 143:6 is rich with **Imagery**, painting a vivid and poignant picture of a parched, barren landscape to represent the soul's spiritual condition. The central literary device is a **Simile**, explicitly comparing the soul's thirst to that of "a thirsty land" using the comparative "as." This **Simile** effectively conveys the intensity, desperation, and life-or-death urgency of David's spiritual need, making the abstract concept of spiritual longing tangible and relatable. The phrase "my soul thirsteth" also employs **Personification**, attributing the human sensation of thirst to the abstract concept of the soul, thereby emphasizing the profound, existential nature of this spiritual longing that permeates David's entire being. The entire verse functions as a powerful **Metaphor** for spiritual emptiness and the absolute necessity of God's presence for spiritual sustenance. The inclusion of "Selah" acts as a **Rhetorical Device**, compelling the audience to pause and deeply consider the weight and meaning of the preceding declaration, enhancing its impact and allowing for profound personal reflection and meditation on the spiritual truth conveyed.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates a fundamental theological truth: humanity's inherent spiritual need and utter dependence on God. Just as a physical body requires water to survive, the human soul is created with an innate capacity and longing for God that only His presence can truly satisfy. David's desperate cry reflects the universal human condition of spiritual emptiness and barrenness apart from the Creator, highlighting God as the ultimate source of life, refreshment, and sustenance. It underscores the biblical theme of God as the "living water" who quenches spiritual thirst, offering profound comfort and hope to those who seek Him with their whole being. This longing is not a weakness but a divinely implanted desire, a pathway to deeper intimacy and complete reliance on divine grace, revealing that true life is found only in Him.

* [Psalm 42:1-2](/psalms/42-1-2 "Psalm 42:1-2 - As a Deer Pants for Streams of Water")
* [Isaiah 55:1](/isaiah/55-1 "Isaiah 55:1 - Come, All You Who Are Thirsty")
* [John 7:37-38](/john/7-37-38 "John 7:37-38 - Jesus Offers Living Water")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 143:6 offers a timeless blueprint for authentic spiritual engagement, particularly in seasons of distress, spiritual dryness, or overwhelming challenges. It encourages believers to embrace a posture of honest vulnerability before God, acknowledging our profound and absolute need for Him without reservation. Just as a parched land cannot generate its own rain, we are utterly dependent on God's life-giving presence and provision for our spiritual vitality. This verse calls us to actively and earnestly seek God, stretching out our hands and our souls to Him, confident that He alone can satisfy our deepest longings and bring refreshment to our weary spirits. It reminds us that spiritual thirst is not a sign of failure but a divinely orchestrated invitation to draw closer to the One who promises to quench it. In times of overwhelming difficulties, this verse empowers us to direct our entire being—our actions, our will, our emotions, and our inner self—towards God, affirming Him as our exclusive source of comfort, guidance, and salvation. It is a call to persistent, humble, and dependent prayer.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you currently feel a spiritual "thirst" or dryness, similar to a parched land?**
* **What does "stretching forth my hands unto thee" look like in your personal prayer life today? Is it a physical posture, a heart posture, or both?**
* **How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of your soul's dependence on God in your daily life, especially when facing difficulties or feeling overwhelmed?**
* **What specific steps can you take to allow God to refresh your "thirsty soul" when you feel spiritually depleted or distant from Him?**

### FAQ

**What does "Selah" mean in the context of this verse?**

Answer: "Selah" (H5542) is a Hebrew term found frequently in the Psalms and Habakkuk, believed to be a musical or liturgical instruction. While its exact meaning is debated among scholars, it is generally understood to signify a pause, a moment for reflection, or an elevation in the music or recitation. In Psalms 143:6, its placement after the vivid imagery of a "thirsty land" invites the reader or listener to pause and deeply meditate on the profound spiritual longing and desperation expressed by David's soul. It encourages a moment of quiet contemplation, allowing the emotional and theological weight of the verse to fully sink in and resonate with one's own spiritual experience, emphasizing the gravity of the preceding statement.

**Why does David liken his soul's thirst to a "thirsty land"?**

Answer: David uses the powerful simile of a "thirsty land" to convey the extreme depth and urgency of his spiritual longing for God. In the arid climate of ancient Israel, a parched, desolate land was a common and dire sight, signifying barrenness, desolation, and a desperate, life-threatening need for water. By comparing his soul to such a land, David emphasizes that his spiritual need for God is not merely a desire but an absolute necessity for his very existence and well-being. Just as the land cannot water itself and is utterly dependent on rain for life, David acknowledges his complete helplessness and utter dependence on God to refresh, sustain, and deliver his soul. This imagery highlights the intensity of his spiritual emptiness and the critical need for divine presence and provision to bring life and fruitfulness.

**How can I apply the concept of "stretching forth my hands" to my own prayer life?**

Answer: "Stretching forth my hands" signifies a posture of earnest supplication, complete surrender, and open receptivity to God. While it can be a physical posture in prayer, it primarily represents a spiritual attitude. To apply this, cultivate a heart that is completely open and vulnerable before God, holding nothing back. It means surrendering your will, your fears, your anxieties, and your desires to Him, acknowledging your dependence and readiness to receive whatever He provides. It's an active reaching out, a conscious decision to direct your entire being—your thoughts, emotions, and actions—towards God as your sole source of help and satisfaction. This can be expressed through heartfelt verbal prayer, quiet contemplation, or even symbolic gestures that reflect your inner posture of surrender and longing, seeking God's presence and provision above all else.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 143:6 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the living water that truly quenches the soul's deepest thirst. David's desperate cry for God's presence and refreshment foreshadows the ultimate satisfaction found in Christ alone. While David yearned for God's intervention in his distress, Jesus Himself declared, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink" ([John 7:37](/john/7-37 "John 7:37 - Jesus Offers Living Water")). He is the one who offers water that, once drunk, will become "a spring of water welling up to eternal life" within the believer ([John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman")). The "thirsty land" of the human soul, parched by sin and separation from God, finds its verdant restoration and abundant life in Christ's atoning work and the indwelling gift of the Holy Spirit. He invites all who are weary and burdened to "come to me, and I will give you rest" ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). Thus, David's longing is fulfilled in the Person of Jesus, who not only satisfies our spiritual thirst but also empowers us with His Spirit, transforming barrenness into fruitful life, and promising that "to the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life" ([Revelation 21:6](/revelation/21-6 "Revelation 21:6 - The Water of Life")).

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 63:1

¶ A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou [art] my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

Job 11:13

¶ If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;

Psalms 84:2

My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

Psalms 88:9

Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee.

Psalms 42:1

¶ To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

Psalms 42:2

My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

Psalms 44:20

If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;