Text -- Psalms 143:9-12 (NET)

143:9 Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord! I run to you for protection. 143:10 Teach me to do what pleases you, for you are my God. May your kind presence lead me into a level land. 143:11 O Lord, for the sake of your reputation, revive me! Because of your justice, rescue me from trouble! 143:12 As a demonstration of your loyal love, destroy my enemies! Annihilate all who threaten my life, for I am your servant.

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Psa 143:9

¹ tn Heb “to you I cover,” which makes no sense. The translation assumes an emendation to נַסְתִּי (nastiy, “I flee,” a Qal perfect, first singular form from נוּס, nos). Confusion of kaf (כ) and nun (נ) is attested elsewhere (see P. K. McCarter, Textual Criticism [GBS], 48). The collocation of נוּס (“flee”) with אֶל (’el, “to”) is well-attested.

NET Notes: Psa 143:10

¹ tn Or “your will.” See Ps 40:8.

² tn Heb “your good spirit.” God’s “spirit” may refer here to his presence (see the note on the word “presence” in Ps 139:7) or to his personal Spirit (see Ps 51:10).

³ tn The prefixed verbal form is taken as a jussive. Taking the statement as a prayer fits well with the petitionary tone of vv. 7-10a.

⁴ sn A level land (where one can walk free of obstacles) here symbolizes divine blessing and protection. See Pss 26:12 and 27:11 for similar imagery.

NET Notes: Psa 143:11

¹ tn Heb “name,” which here stands metonymically for God’s reputation.

² tn The imperfect verbal forms in vv. 11-12a are understood as expressing the psalmist’s desire. Note the petitionary tone of vv. 7-10a.

³ tn Heb “by your justice bring out my life from trouble.”

NET Notes: Psa 143:12

¹ tn Heb “in [or “by”] your faithfulness.”

² tn The perfect with vav (ו) consecutive carries on the mood of the preceding imperfect.

³ tn Heb “all the enemies of my life.”