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Psalms 143:6

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 143:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “I spread forth my hands unto thee: My soul [thirsteth] after thee, as a weary land. Selah” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

I spread forth my hands unto thee: My soul [thirsteth] after thee, as a weary land. Selah
Psalms 143:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 143

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; He hath smitten my life down to the ground: He hath made me to dwell in dark places, as those that have been long dead.
4Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; My heart within me is desolate.
5I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy doings; I muse on the work of thy hands.
6I spread forth my hands unto thee: My soul [thirsteth] after thee, as a weary land. Selah
7Make 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.
8Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; For in thee do I trust: Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; For I lift up my soul unto thee.
9Deliver me, O Jehovah, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
← Psalms 143:5Psalms 143:7 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“I stretch forth my hands unto thee, etc.] In prayer, as the Targum adds; for this is a prayer gesture, (<110838>1 Kings 8:38 <230115>Isaiah 1:15); both hands were stretched forth, earnestly imploring help, and ready to receive and embrace every blessing bestowed with thankfulness; my soul [thirsteth] after thee as a thirsty land. As a dry land, which wants water, gapes, and as it were thirsts for rain, which is very refreshing to it; so his soul thirsted after God, after his word and ordinances, after communion with him in them, after his grace and fresh supplies of it; particularly after pardoning grace and mercy, after the coming of Christ, and the blessings of grace by him; as…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I stretch forth my hands unto thee - In prayer. I have nowhere else to go. See Psalms 88:9. My soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land - As land in a time of drought “seems” to thirst for rain. See the notes at Psalms 63:1. Compare Psalms 42:1. The word rendered “thirsty” here means properly “weary.” The idea is that of a land which seems to be weary; which has no vigor of growth; and where everything seems to be exhausted. The same word occurs in Isaiah 32:2 : “As the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.” return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“As land - Thirsteth for rain. Psalms 143:8”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“143:6 The psalmist’s thirst is a deep longing for God’s redemption (see 42:1-2).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“stretch forth: Psa 44:20, Psa 88:9; Job 11:13 my soul: Psa 42:1, Psa 42:2, Psa 63:1, Psa 84:2; Isa 26:8, Isa 26:9, Isa 35:7; Joh 7:37 Psalms 143:7”
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Related study paths

Read Psalms 143 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification