Psalms 143:6

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Psalms 143:6 KJV is a poignant cry from the heart of David, expressing profound spiritual longing and desperation for God's presence and intervention. This verse captures a moment of intense spiritual thirst, likening the soul's yearning for God to a parched, barren land desperately needing water.

Context

Psalm 143 is one of David's lament psalms, believed to have been written during a period of great distress, possibly while fleeing from Absalom or another adversary. The preceding verses describe David's overwhelming affliction, his spirit failing within him, and his meditation on God's past works. In this context, verse 6 marks a turning point where his prayer shifts from recounting his troubles to an intense expression of his sole hope and dependence on God. It sets the stage for his subsequent pleas for guidance and deliverance, emphasizing that God is his only source of relief.

Key Themes

  • Profound Spiritual Thirst: The central metaphor of a "thirsty land" vividly portrays the soul's deep and urgent need for God. It speaks to a spiritual dryness that only divine presence can quench, much like a desert craves rain. This imagery resonates with other biblical expressions of spiritual hunger and thirst, such as in Matthew 5:6.
  • Desperation and Helplessness: The parched land cannot water itself; it is utterly dependent on an external source. Similarly, David's plea highlights his complete reliance on God, acknowledging his inability to resolve his own distress.
  • Active Supplication: "I stretch forth my hands unto thee" is a classic biblical posture of prayer, signifying surrender, earnest appeal, and an open reception of divine aid. It conveys a sincere and unreserved reaching out to God.
  • Sole Dependence on God: Amidst overwhelming difficulties, David directs his entire beingโ€”his hands (actions) and his soul (inner being)โ€”towards God, affirming Him as the exclusive source of comfort and salvation.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "thirsteth" here is tsam'ah (ืฆึธืžึฐืึธื”), which carries the strong connotation of a deep, physical craving for water, often associated with extreme dehydration. This intensifies the imagery of the "thirsty land," making the spiritual longing palpable. The inclusion of "Selah" at the end of the verse invites the reader or listener to pause and reflect on the profound depth of this spiritual yearning, allowing its meaning to sink in fully.

Practical Application

Psalms 143:6 serves as a powerful reminder that it is natural and even necessary to acknowledge our spiritual needs before God. In times of distress, spiritual dryness, or overwhelming challenges, this verse encourages believers to:

  • Express Honest Longing: Don't hide your spiritual thirst or desperation from God. He welcomes your honest cries.
  • Cultivate Dependence: Recognize that God is the ultimate source of satisfaction and help, especially when human resources fail.
  • Engage in Earnest Prayer: Adopt a posture of sincere supplication, whether physically or metaphorically, reaching out to God with all your being. David's example shows the power of a soul deeply longing for God.

Reflection

This verse encapsulates the essence of true worship and relationship with God: a deep, unfeigned desire for His presence and provision. Like a parched earth yearning for life-giving rain, our souls are designed to thirst for God, and only He can truly satisfy that profound need. It is a timeless expression of reliance on divine grace in every season of life.

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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

  • Psalms 63:1 (10 votes)

    ยถ 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 (9 votes)

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

  • Psalms 84:2 (8 votes)

    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 (8 votes)

    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 (7 votes)

    ยถ 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 (7 votes)

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

  • Psalms 44:20 (6 votes)

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