Psalms 143:3

Psalms 143:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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.
• New International Version (NIV)The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in darkness, Like those who have long been dead.

Context of Psalms 143:3

1Lord, hear my prayer. In your faithfulness listen to my plea, and in your righteousness answer me. 2Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous in your sight. For the enemy has pursued me, crushing me to the ground, making me live in darkness like those long dead. 4My spirit is weak within me; my heart is overcome with dismay. 5I remember the days of old; I meditate on all you have done; I reflect on the work of your hands.

Psalms 143:3 word by word

כִּ֥י רָ֘דַ֤ף אוֹיֵ֨ב׀ נַפְשִׁ֗י דִּכָּ֣א לָ֭אָרֶץ חַיָּתִ֑י הוֹשִׁיבַ֥נִי בְ֝מַחֲשַׁכִּ֗ים כְּמֵתֵ֥י עוֹלָֽם׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• For the enemyאֹיֵב'ôyêb 'ôyêb · enemyH341
• hath persecutedרָדַףrâdaph · to pursueH7291
• my soulנֶ֫פֶשׁnephesh · soulH5315
• he hath smittenדָּכָאdâkâ' · to crushH1792
• my lifeחַיָּהchay · living thingH2416
• to the groundאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: soilH776
• he hath made me to dwellיָשַׁבyâshab · to dwellH3427
• in darknessמַחְשָׁךְmachshâk · darknessH4285
• as those that have been longעוֹלָם‛ôlâm ‛ôlâm · forever: antiquityH5769
• deadמוּתmûth · to dieH4191

Cross-references for Psalms 143:3

• Psalms 7:1Lord my God, I seek refuge in you; save me from all my pursuers and rescue me,
• Psalms 17:9from the wicked who treat me violently, my deadly enemies who surround me.
• Psalms 35:4Let those who intend to take my life be disgraced and humiliated; let those who plan to harm me be turned back and ashamed.
• Psalms 54:3For strangers rise up against me, and violent men intend to kill me. They do not let God guide them.Selah
• Psalms 142:6Listen to my cry, for I am very weak. Rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.
• Psalms 7:5may an enemy pursue and overtake me; may he trample me to the ground and leave my honor in the dust.Selah
• 2 Samuel 2:22Once again, Abner warned Asahel, “Stop chasing me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How could I ever look your brother Joab in the face?”
• 2 Samuel 18:11“You just saw him!” Joab exclaimed. “Why didn’t you strike him to the ground right there? I would have given you ten silver pieces and a belt!”
• Psalms 31:12I am forgotten: gone from memory like a dead person — like broken pottery.
• Psalms 88:4I am counted among those going down to the Pit. I am like a man without strength,
• Ezekiel 37:11Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Look how they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished; we are cut off.’

Commentaries on Psalms 143:3

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3For the enemy hath persecuted my soul - Has persecuted me; has sought my life. He hath smitten my life down to the ground - He has, as it were, trampled me down to the earth. The word rendered “smitten” means to break in pieces, to beat small, to crush. See Psalm 72:4; Psalm 89:10; Job 6:9. His very life seemed to be crushed out as one that is trodden down to the ground. He hath made me to dwell in darkness - He has made my life like that of one who…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3-4My spirit grows faint within me: The psalmist admits his desperation as his life seems to slip away under cruel and powerful enemies.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3-43-4. The exciting reason for his prayer--his afflictions--led to confession as just made: he now makes the complaint. as those that have been long dead--deprived of life's comforts (compare Psa 40:15; 88:3-6).Read the comment
• Rashi on Tanakh · v. 3For an enemy pursued my soul That is to say: If I have sinned before You, behold, I have suffered. This psalm was recited as referring to all of Israel in Babylon.Read the comment

Topics related to Psalms 143:3

• Afflictions and Adversities
• Colors
• Death

In the dictionaries

• Desolate
• Muse
• Death
• Eschatology of the Old Testament
• Psalms, Book of

Commentaries on Psalms 143

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• The Treasury of David
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings