Psalms 141:8

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 141:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For mine eyes are unto thee, O Jehovah the Lord: In thee do I take refuge; leave not my soul destitute.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For mine eyes are unto thee, O Jehovah the Lord: In thee do I take refuge; leave not my soul destitute.
Psalms 141:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 141

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8For mine eyes are unto thee, O Jehovah the Lord: In thee do I take refuge; leave not my soul destitute.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But mine eyes are unto thee, O God the Lord, etc.] Not only the eyes of his body, lifted up to God in prayer, this being a prayer gesture, (<431141>John 11:41 17:1); but the eyes of his mind, or understanding, especially the eyes of faith and love; for it is expressive of his affection to God, his holy confidence in him, and humble hope and expectation of good things from him, in this his time of distress: his eyes were to him and him only, both for temporal food for himself and his men; and for spiritual food, for all supplies of grace, for wisdom and direction, for strength and assistance, for protection and deliverance; in thee is my trust; not in himself, nor in his friends, nor in any…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But mine eyes are unto thee, O God the Lord - My hope is in thee. I do not rely on my own power. I do not trust in my armed forces. I know that they are weak, dispirited, scattered - like strewed bones - like the chips and splinters lying around the place where wood is chopped. I look, therefore, solely to God. I believe that he “will” interpose; and now that my enemy has placed himself in this position, I do not need to resort to stealthful arts - to dishonorable acts - to assassination - as my friends advise, but the object will be accomplished, and I shall be placed on the throne by the act of God, and in a manner that will not subject my name and memory to reproach by a base and…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“mine eyes: Psa 25:15, Psa 123:1, Psa 123:2; Ch2 20:12 leave not my soul destitute: Heb. make not my soul bare, Psa 25:16, Psa 25:17, Psa 102:17, Psa 143:3, Psa 143:4; Isa 41:17; Joh 14:18 Psalms 141:9”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“If Psa 141:7 is not merely an expression of the complaint, but at the same time of hope, we now have no need to give the כּי the adversative sense of imo, but we may leave it its most natural confirmatory signification namque. From this point the Psalm gradually dies away in strains comparatively easy to be understood and in perfect keeping with the situation. In connection with Psa 141:8 one is reminded of Psa 25:15; Psa 31:2; with Psa 141:9., of Psa 7:16; Psa 69:23, and other passages. In "pour not out (תּער with sharpened vowel instead of תּער, Ges. ֗75, rem. 8) my soul," ערה, Piel, is equivalent to the Hiph. הערה in Isa 53:12. ידי פח are as it were the hands of the seizing and capturing…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification