142:3 Even when my strength leaves me, 1
you watch my footsteps. 2
In the path where I walk
they have hidden a trap for me.
143:7 Answer me quickly, Lord!
My strength is fading. 3
Do not reject me, 4
or I will join 5 those descending into the grave. 6
1 tn Heb “my spirit grows faint.”
2 tn Heb “you know my path.”
3 tn Heb “my spirit is failing.”
4 tn Heb “do not hide your face from me.” The idiom “hide the face” (1) can mean “ignore” (see Pss 10:11; 13:1; 51:9) or (2) can carry the stronger idea of “reject” (see Pss 30:7; 88:14).
5 tn Heb “I will be equal with.”
6 tn Heb “the pit.” The Hebrew noun בּוֹר (bor, “pit; cistern”) is sometimes used of the grave and/or the realm of the dead. See Ps 28:1.