Psalms 143:3

“For the enemy hath persecuted my soul, etc.] Which is to be connected with (<19E301>Psalm 143:1); and is a reason why he desires his prayer might be answered, seeing his enemy, either Saul, or Absalom his own son, persecuted him, or pursued him in order to take away his soul, or life; or Satan, the enemy and avenger, who goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour; or persecuting men, who are his emissaries and instruments, whom he instigates to persecute the Lord’s people, and employs them therein; he hath smitten my life down to the ground: brought him into a low, mean, and abject state, and near to death; had with a blow struck him to the ground, and left him wallowing in…”

“For 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 Psalms 72:4; Psalms 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 dwells in darkness; he has made it a life of sorrow, so that I have no comfort - no light. As those that have been long dead - A similar expression occurs in Lamentations 3:6 : “He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old.” The…”

“For - This is not a reason of what he last said, but an argument to enforce his petition delivered, Psa 143:1. Soul - My life; nothing less will satisfy him. Dead - I am in as hopeless a condition in the eye of man, as those that have lain long in the grave. Psalms 143:5”

“143:3-4 I am losing all hope: The psalmist confesses his desperation as his life slips away under oppressive and ruthless foes.”

“the enemy: Psa 7:1, Psa 7:2, Psa 17:9-13, Psa 35:4, Psa 54:3, Psa 142:6 smitten: Psa 7:5; Sa2 2:22, Sa2 18:11 made me: Psa 31:12, Psa 31:13, Psa 88:4-6; Eze 37:11 Psalms 143:4”