Psalms 143:7

KJV

¶ Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.

KJV (with Strong's)

Hear {H6030} me speedily {H4118}, O LORD {H3068}: my spirit {H7307} faileth {H3615}: hide {H5641} not thy face {H6440} from me, lest I be like {H4911} unto them that go down {H3381} into the pit {H953}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Answer me quickly, ADONAI, because my spirit is fainting. Don't hide your face from me, or I'll be like those who drop down into a pit.

Berean Standard Bible

Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide Your face from me, or I will be like those who descend to the Pit.

American Standard Version

Make haste to answer me, O Jehovah; my spirit faileth: Hide not thy face from me, Lest I become like them that go down into the pit.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 143:7 presents a fervent and urgent lament from the psalmist, likely David, who is on the precipice of utter despair. Overwhelmed by distress and spiritual exhaustion, he cries out to the LORD for immediate divine intervention, pleading for God not to withdraw His life-sustaining presence. This verse powerfully articulates the profound fragility of the human spirit and its absolute dependence on God's swift, compassionate response to prevent a catastrophic descent into hopelessness, symbolic of spiritual and physical demise.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 143 concludes the collection of seven Penitential Psalms, characterized by deep confession, earnest lament, and fervent appeals for divine mercy. The psalm begins with David's humble entreaty to God, appealing to His faithfulness and righteousness while acknowledging his own unworthiness, a recurring motif throughout the Psalter, as seen in his plea for God not to enter into judgment with His servant, "for in Your sight no one living is righteous" ([Psalm 143:2](/psalms/143-2 "Psalm 143:2 - No One Righteous Before God")). The verses immediately preceding verse 7 vividly depict the psalmist's dire circumstances: his spirit is faint, his heart desolate within him, and his enemies relentlessly pursue him, crushing his life to the ground and making him dwell in darkness like those long dead ([Psalm 143:3-4](/psalms/143-3 "Psalm 143:3-4 - David's Distress and Memory of God's Works")). This narrative of intense suffering and profound spiritual weariness culminates in the desperate urgency of verse 7, where the psalmist's plea intensifies, seeking not merely relief but the very presence of God to prevent complete spiritual and physical collapse.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While traditionally attributed to King David, likely during a period of intense persecution (such as fleeing from Saul or Absalom), the psalm itself does not specify a precise historical event, allowing for broad application. Culturally, the concept of God "hiding His face" (Hebrew: _pânîym_) was profoundly significant, signifying a terrifying withdrawal of divine favor, protection, and communication, often interpreted as a sign of judgment or abandonment. Conversely, God "showing His face" or "making His face shine upon" His people (cf. [Numbers 6:25](/numbers/6-25 "Numbers 6:25 - The Priestly Blessing")) implied divine presence, blessing, and covenant faithfulness. The "pit" (Hebrew: _bôwr_) was a common and potent metaphor in ancient Israel, referring to a cistern, a dungeon, or most significantly, the grave or Sheol (the realm of the dead). For the psalmist, the fear of going down into the pit underscored the existential dread of being utterly cut off from the living, from hope, and from God's sustaining presence.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 143:7 encapsulates several profound themes that permeate the Psalter and biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the **urgency of prayer** in times of profound crisis, where the psalmist's plea for God to "hear me speedily" reflects an immediate and critical need for divine intervention, a common theme in laments such as [Psalm 6:2](/psalms/6-2 "Psalm 6:2 - Heal Me, O LORD"). Secondly, it vividly portrays **spiritual and emotional exhaustion**, as "my spirit faileth" speaks to the profound weariness and desolation experienced when facing prolonged hardship, a theme echoed in other laments like the repeated cry, "Why are you cast down, O my soul?" ([Psalm 42:5](/psalms/42-5 "Psalm 42:5 - Hope in God Amidst Despair")). Thirdly, the verse underscores the **vital importance of God's manifest presence**; the fervent plea "hide not thy face from me" reveals a desperate longing for divine favor and communication, without which the psalmist feels utterly lost and abandoned, a sentiment also found in [Psalm 27:9](/psalms/27-9 "Psalm 27:9 - Do Not Hide Your Face From Me"). Finally, it expresses the **fear of despair and spiritual death**, as being "like unto them that go down into the pit" signifies the ultimate dread of being cut off from life, hope, and God's sustaining power, a concept frequently explored in lament psalms such as the profound despair found throughout [Psalm 88](/psalms/88 "Psalm 88 - A Psalm of Utter Despair").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hear (Hebrew, _ʻânâh'_):** From H6030, meaning to eye or heed, by implication to respond, or pay attention. This word emphasizes David's desire for God not merely to perceive his cry, but to actively engage and provide an answer. It is a plea for responsive, attentive, and effectual listening, indicating a desperate need for God's intervention to be acknowledged and acted upon.
* **Faileth (Hebrew, _kâlâh'_):** From H3615, meaning to end, cease, be finished, perish, consume, or faint. This term vividly describes the complete exhaustion and depletion of the psalmist's inner strength. His spirit is not simply weak but is at the point of utter collapse, consumed by the overwhelming distress and suffering he endures.
* **Pit (Hebrew, _bôwr'_):** From H953, referring to a pit hole, cistern, dungeon, or most significantly, the grave or Sheol. In this context, "the pit" powerfully conveys a sense of being trapped, forgotten, and facing imminent death or utter spiritual desolation. It represents a state of being cut off from the living, from hope, and from God's active presence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Hear me speedily, O LORD":** This opening clause is an urgent, direct address to Yahweh (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_), the covenant God of Israel. The psalmist is not merely praying but crying out with a desperate sense of time-sensitive need, imploring God for an immediate and attentive response to his dire situation, highlighting the critical nature of his distress and the dire consequences of delay.
* **"my spirit faileth":** This clause reveals the profound internal state of the psalmist. His inner being, his very life force or breath (H7307, _rûwach_), is at the point of complete exhaustion and collapse (H3615, _kâlâh_). This signifies a deep spiritual, emotional, and perhaps even physical weariness that has reached its breaking point, leaving him utterly depleted and unable to sustain himself.
* **"hide not thy face from me":** This is a fervent negative imperative, a desperate plea for God to maintain His manifest presence and favor. For God to hide His face (H6440, _pânîym_) would signify divine abandonment, a terrifying withdrawal of protection, blessing, and communication, which is a life-threatening prospect for the psalmist, akin to being cut off from the source of life itself.
* **"lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit":** This final clause articulates the dire consequence feared by the psalmist should God withdraw His presence. To be "like unto them that go down" (H4911, _mâshal_ to resemble; H3381, _yârad_ to descend) into "the pit" (H953, _bôwr_) means to be consigned to the realm of the dead (Sheol), a place of utter hopelessness, silence, and separation from God. It signifies spiritual death, complete despair, and being utterly cut off from the living and from hope.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 143:7 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its urgent message of distress and dependence. The use of **apostrophe** is evident in the direct, impassioned address, "O LORD," emphasizing the intensely personal and intimate nature of the psalmist's plea to God, highlighting his direct appeal to the covenant-keeping deity. **Hyperbole** is present in "my spirit faileth," which, while expressing genuine distress, uses strong language to convey the extremity of his internal exhaustion, suggesting a complete collapse rather than mere weakness, thereby intensifying the urgency of his cry. The phrase "hide not thy face from me" is a potent example of **anthropomorphism**, attributing human characteristics (a face that can be hidden or revealed) to God, making His presence or absence more relatable and impactful to the human experience of intimacy and abandonment. Finally, the **simile** "lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit" vividly compares the feared state of divine abandonment to the ultimate state of death and separation, using the stark imagery of the grave or Sheol to underscore the profound and terrifying consequence of God's silence and withdrawal.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 143:7 powerfully articulates the believer's desperate reliance on God's immediate and manifest presence, especially in moments of profound spiritual and emotional depletion. It underscores the theological truth that God's presence is not merely a comfort but a life-sustaining necessity, without which the soul faces a terrifying descent into despair and spiritual death. The psalmist's fervent plea for God not to "hide His face" reflects a deep understanding of divine favor as the very source of life and hope, and its withdrawal as a terrifying judgment or abandonment. This verse resonates with the broader biblical narrative of God's covenant faithfulness, where His presence is promised to His people, and His absence is a sign of broken fellowship or judgment for sin. It teaches us that even in our weakest moments, our most urgent cry should be for God Himself, recognizing that His attentive ear and swift intervention are our ultimate salvation from the "pit" of despair and spiritual demise.

* [Psalm 27:9](/psalms/27-9 "Psalm 27:9 - Do Not Hide Your Face From Me")
* [Psalm 30:7](/psalms/30-7 "Psalm 30:7 - You Hid Your Face; I Was Dismayed")
* [Psalm 42:11](/psalms/42-11 "Psalm 42:11 - Why Are You Downcast, O My Soul?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 143:7 offers profound solace and instruction for contemporary believers navigating seasons of intense distress and spiritual weariness. It validates the raw honesty of lament, reminding us that it is not only permissible but spiritually healthy to express our deepest fears, exhaustion, and vulnerability to God. When our spirit feels utterly depleted, when hope seems to wane, and when God's presence feels agonizingly distant, this verse provides a timeless template for prayer: urgent, direct, and utterly dependent. It compels us to confront our own fragility and to recognize that true resilience comes not from our own strength or self-reliance but from God's swift and unwavering attention and intervention. The psalmist's fear of the "pit" serves as a powerful reminder of the existential threat of despair and the vital necessity of God's active involvement in our lives to pull us back from the brink. It calls us to cultivate a persistent prayer life, even when feeling abandoned, trusting that God's face, though sometimes seemingly hidden, will ultimately be turned towards us in mercy and deliverance, for He is faithful to His promises and hears the cries of His children.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you currently feel your "spirit faileth" or your strength is completely depleted, leading to a sense of overwhelming weariness?**
* **How does the idea of God "hiding His face" resonate with your own experiences of feeling distant from God, and how do you respond in those moments?**
* **What specific steps can you take to "speedily" bring your urgent pleas to the Lord when you are facing a crisis, trusting in His immediate attention and intervention?**

### FAQ
**What does "my spirit faileth" mean in this context?**

Answer: "My spirit faileth" (Hebrew: _kâlâh rûwach_) signifies a state of profound spiritual, emotional, and perhaps even physical exhaustion. It means that the psalmist's inner strength, his very life force or breath, is at the point of complete collapse or consumption. It’s not just weakness but an utter depletion, indicating a deep weariness that has reached its breaking point due to the overwhelming distress and persecution he is experiencing, as described in the preceding verses where his life is crushed to the ground and he dwells in darkness ([Psalm 143:3-4](/psalms/143-3 "Psalm 143:3-4 - David's Oppression and Memory")).

**Why is it so terrifying for God to "hide His face"?**

Answer: For God to "hide His face" (Hebrew: _çâthar pânîym_) was a deeply terrifying prospect in ancient Israelite thought, signifying a withdrawal of divine favor, protection, and communication. It was often interpreted as a sign of divine displeasure, judgment, or abandonment, leaving the individual vulnerable and utterly alone. Conversely, God "lifting up His countenance" or "making His face shine upon" His people (cf. [Numbers 6:25](/numbers/6-25 "Numbers 6:25 - The Priestly Blessing")) signified blessing, presence, and covenant faithfulness. The psalmist fears that God's hidden face would lead to a state of utter despair and being cut off from life, akin to death itself.

**What is "the pit" that the psalmist fears going down into?**

Answer: "The pit" (Hebrew: _bôwr_) in this context is a powerful metaphor with multiple layers of meaning. It can refer literally to a cistern or dungeon, but more profoundly, it symbolizes the grave or Sheol, the realm of the dead. For the psalmist, going down into the pit means being cut off from the living, from hope, and from God's active presence. It represents utter hopelessness, spiritual demise, and a state of being forgotten, as seen in other psalms of lament where the psalmist describes himself as "counted among those who go down to the pit" ([Psalm 88:4](/psalms/88-4 "Psalm 88:4 - Despair in the Pit")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 143:7, with its raw cry for divine intervention in the face of overwhelming despair and the terrifying threat of the "pit," finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The psalmist's plea for God not to hide His face profoundly foreshadows the ultimate anguish of Christ on the cross, when He cried out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")). In that moment, the Father *did* hide His face from the Son, as Jesus bore the full weight of humanity's sin, experiencing the ultimate "pit" of separation from God so that we, His redeemed, would never have to. Furthermore, Christ's own spirit "faileth" in Gethsemane, where His soul was "very sorrowful, even to death" ([Matthew 26:38](/matthew/26-38 "Matthew 26:38 - Jesus in Gethsemane")), yet He submitted to the Father's will, demonstrating perfect obedience even unto death. Through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, Jesus conquered the "pit" of death and Sheol, offering eternal life and the steadfast promise that God will never leave nor forsake those who are in Him ([Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - God Will Never Leave Nor Forsake Us")). He is the one who hears our speedy cries and ensures that we, His redeemed, will never go down into the pit of eternal separation, for He himself descended into the depths to bring us up to everlasting light and life ([Ephesians 4:9-10](/ephesians/4-9 "Ephesians 4:9-10 - Christ's Descent and Ascent")).

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 69:17

And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.

Psalms 28:1

¶ [A Psalm] of David. Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, [if] thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.

Psalms 27:9

Hide not thy face [far] from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

Psalms 71:12

O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.

Psalms 102:2

Hide not thy face from me in the day [when] I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day [when] I call answer me speedily.

Isaiah 38:18

For the grave cannot praise thee, death can [not] celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.

Psalms 88:4

I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man [that hath] no strength: