Psalms 143:10

143:10 Teach me to do what pleases you, ¹ 

for you are my God.

May your kind presence ² 

lead me ³  into a level land. ⁴ 

Philippians 2:1

Christian Unity and Christ’s Humility

2:1 Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the Spirit, ⁵  any affection or mercy, ⁶ 

[143:10]  ¹ tn Or “your will.” See Ps 40:8.

[143:10]  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).

[143:10]  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.

[143:10]  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.

[2:1]  ⁵ tn Or “spiritual fellowship” if πνεύματος (pneumato") is an attributive genitive; or “fellowship brought about by the Spirit” if πνεύματος is a genitive of source or production.

[2:1]  ⁶ tn Grk “and any affection and mercy.” The Greek idea, however, is best expressed by “or” in English.