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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 143:3 For the enemy has pursued my soul, crushing my life to the ground, making me dwell in darkness like those long since dead.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/143-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/19_Psa_143_003.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 143:3 - I Stretch Out My Hands to You" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For the enemy has pursued my soul, crushing my life to the ground, making me dwell in darkness like those long since dead." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/143-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/143-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/143.htm">Chapter 143</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/143-2.htm" title="Psalm 143:2">◄</a> Psalm 143:3 <a href="/psalms/143-4.htm" title="Psalm 143:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/143.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/143.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/143.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />My enemy has chased me. He has knocked me to the ground and forces me to live in darkness like those in the grave.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/143.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/143.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the enemy has pursued my soul, crushing my life to the ground, making me dwell in darkness like those long since dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/143.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/143.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in darkness, Like those who have long been dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/143.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in dark places, like those who have long been dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/143.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in dark places, like those who have long been dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/143.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in dark places, like those who have long been dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/143.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For the enemy has pursued my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me inhabit dark places, like those who have long been dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/143.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For the enemy has persecuted me, He has crushed my life down to the ground; He has made me dwell in dark places, like those who have been long dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/143.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the enemy has pursued me, crushing me to the ground, making me live in darkness like those long dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/143.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the enemy has pursued me, crushing me to the ground, making me live in darkness like those long dead. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/143.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/143.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />My enemies are chasing me, crushing me in the ground. I am in total darkness, like someone long dead. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/143.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/143.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The enemy has pursued me. He has ground my life into the dirt. He has made me live in dark places like those who have died long ago.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/143.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />My enemies have hunted me down and completely defeated me. They have put me in a dark prison, and I am like those who died long ago. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/143.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />For those who oppose me are pursuing my life, crushing me to the ground, making me sit in darkness like those who died long ago.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/143.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the enemy has pursued my soul, crushing my life to the ground, making me dwell in darkness like those long since dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/143.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Certainly my enemies chase me. They smash me into the ground. They force me to live in dark regions, like those who have been dead for ages. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/143.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For the enemy pursues my soul. He has struck my life down to the ground. He has made me live in dark places, as those who have been long dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/143.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/143.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For the enemy pursues my soul. He has struck my life down to the ground. He has made me live in dark places, as those who have been long dead. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/143.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For an enemy has pursued my soul, "" He has bruised my life to the earth, "" He has caused me to dwell in dark places, "" As the dead of old.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/143.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For an enemy hath pursued my soul, He hath bruised to the earth my life, He hath caused me to dwell in dark places, As the dead of old.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/143.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For the enemy pursued my soul; he crushed to the earth my life; he caused me to dwell in darknesses, as the dead of old.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/143.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For the enemy hath persecuted my soul: he hath brought down my life to the earth. He hath made me to dwell in darkness as those that have been dead of old: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/143.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 142:3>For the enemy has pursued my soul. He has lowered my life to the earth. He has stationed me in darkness, like the dead of ages past.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/143.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground. He has made me dwell in darkness like those long dead. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/143.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For the enemy has pursued me, crushing my life to the ground, making me sit in darkness like those long dead.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/143.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has smitten my life down to the ground; he has made me to dwell in darkness, like those who have been long dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/143.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because the enemy pursues my soul and he has humbled my life in the Earth and made me to dwell in darkness like the dead for eternity.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/143.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; He hath crushed my life down to the ground; He hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/143.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has brought my life down to the ground; he has made me to dwell in a dark <i>place</i>, as those that have been long dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/143-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=17657" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/143.htm">I Stretch Out My Hands to You</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous before You. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/341.htm" title="341: ’ō·w·yêḇ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- Hating, an adversary. Or owyeb; active participle of 'ayab; hating; an adversary.">the enemy</a> <a href="/hebrew/7291.htm" title="7291: rā·ḏap̄ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To pursue, chase, persecute. A primitive root; to run after (of time) gone by).">has pursued</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: nap̄·šî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">my soul,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1792.htm" title="1792: dik·kā (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To crush. A primitive root; to crumble; transitively, to bruise.">crushing</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ḥay·yā·ṯî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">my life</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: lā·’ā·reṣ (Prep-l, Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">to the ground,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: hō·wō·šî·ḇa·nî (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms:: 1cs) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">making me dwell</a> <a href="/hebrew/4285.htm" title="4285: ḇə·ma·ḥă·šak·kîm (Prep-b:: N-mp) -- Dark place. From chashak; darkness; concretely, a dark place.">in darkness</a> <a href="/hebrew/5769.htm" title="5769: ‘ō·w·lām (N-ms) -- Long duration, antiquity, futurity. ">like those long since</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: kə·mê·ṯê (Prep-k:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">dead.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>My spirit grows faint within me; my heart is dismayed inside me.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-6.htm">Lamentations 3:6</a></span><br />He has made me dwell in darkness like those dead for ages.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/59-10.htm">Isaiah 59:10</a></span><br />Like the blind, we feel our way along the wall, groping like those without eyes. We stumble at midday as in the twilight; among the vigorous we are like the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/30-26.htm">Job 30:26-28</a></span><br />But when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, darkness fell. / I am churning within and cannot rest; days of affliction confront me. / I go about blackened, but not by the sun. I stand up in the assembly and cry for help.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/13-16.htm">Jeremiah 13:16</a></span><br />Give glory to the LORD your God before He brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the dusky mountains. You wait for light, but He turns it into deep gloom and thick darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/7-8.htm">Micah 7:8</a></span><br />Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will arise; though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/42-7.htm">Isaiah 42:7</a></span><br />to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out of the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/10-21.htm">Job 10:21-22</a></span><br />before I go—never to return—to a land of darkness and gloom, / to a land of utter darkness, of deep shadow and disorder, where even the light is like darkness.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/88-6.htm">Psalm 88:6</a></span><br />You have laid me in the lowest Pit, in the darkest of the depths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/107-10.htm">Psalm 107:10</a></span><br />Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and chains,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/9-2.htm">Isaiah 9:2</a></span><br />The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/4-16.htm">Matthew 4:16</a></span><br />the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-79.htm">Luke 1:79</a></span><br />to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-35.htm">John 12:35</a></span><br />Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/26-18.htm">Acts 26:18</a></span><br />to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-8.htm">Ephesians 5:8</a></span><br />For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has smitten my life down to the ground; he has made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.</p><p class="hdg">the enemy</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/7-1.htm">Psalm 7:1,2</a></b></br> Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the LORD, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite. O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/17-9.htm">Psalm 17:9-13</a></b></br> From the wicked that oppress me, <i>from</i> my deadly enemies, <i>who</i> compass me about… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/35-4.htm">Psalm 35:4</a></b></br> Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.</p><p class="hdg">smitten</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/7-5.htm">Psalm 7:5</a></b></br> Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take <i>it</i>; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/2-22.htm">2 Samuel 2:22</a></b></br> And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/18-11.htm">2 Samuel 18:11</a></b></br> And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest <i>him</i>, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten <i>shekels</i> of silver, and a girdle.</p><p class="hdg">made me</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/31-12.htm">Psalm 31:12,13</a></b></br> I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/88-4.htm">Psalm 88:4-6</a></b></br> I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man <i>that hath</i> no strength: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/37-11.htm">Ezekiel 37:11</a></b></br> Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/105-18.htm">Bruised</a> <a href="/psalms/140-9.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/psalms/119-122.htm">Crushed</a> <a href="/job/9-17.htm">Crushes</a> <a href="/psalms/139-12.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/psalms/139-12.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/psalms/115-17.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/psalms/140-13.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/psalms/141-7.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/psalms/108-12.htm">Enemy</a> <a href="/psalms/141-9.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/107-35.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/psalms/142-4.htm">Life</a> <a href="/psalms/135-7.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/psalms/129-2.htm">Persecuted</a> <a href="/psalms/141-6.htm">Places</a> <a href="/psalms/119-161.htm">Pursued</a> <a href="/joshua/20-5.htm">Pursues</a> <a href="/psalms/139-2.htm">Sit</a> <a href="/psalms/109-16.htm">Smitten</a> <a href="/psalms/142-7.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/psalms/136-17.htm">Struck</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/26-28.htm">Bruised</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-11.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/psalms/145-14.htm">Crushed</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-4.htm">Crushes</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-6.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-13.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-18.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-33.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/psalms/146-4.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-17.htm">Enemy</a> <a href="/psalms/144-10.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/143-10.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/psalms/143-11.htm">Life</a> <a href="/psalms/146-7.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-6.htm">Persecuted</a> <a href="/psalms/144-14.htm">Places</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-15.htm">Pursued</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-19.htm">Pursues</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-24.htm">Sit</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-13.htm">Smitten</a> <a href="/psalms/143-6.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-1.htm">Struck</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 143</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/143-1.htm">David prays for favor in judgment</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/143-3.htm">He complains of his grief</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/143-5.htm">He strengthens his faith by meditation and prayer</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/143-7.htm">He prays for grace</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/143-9.htm">For deliverance</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/143-10.htm">For sanctification</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/143-12.htm">For destruction of his enemies</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/143.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/143.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For the enemy has pursued my soul</b><br>This phrase reflects the intense personal struggle and spiritual warfare faced by the psalmist, traditionally attributed to David. The "enemy" can be understood as both physical adversaries, such as King Saul or the Philistines, and spiritual forces of evil. In the broader biblical context, the enemy often symbolizes Satan and his attempts to lead believers away from God (<a href="/1_peter/5-8.htm">1 Peter 5:8</a>). The pursuit of the soul indicates a relentless attack on the psalmist's innermost being, suggesting a deep, existential threat rather than merely physical danger.<p><b>Crushing my life to the ground</b><br>This imagery conveys a sense of overwhelming defeat and despair. The act of being crushed to the ground suggests a loss of strength and vitality, akin to being trampled underfoot. In biblical times, being cast to the ground was a sign of humiliation and subjugation. This phrase can be connected to the experiences of other biblical figures who faced similar trials, such as Job, who felt crushed by his afflictions (<a href="/job/19-10.htm">Job 19:10</a>). It also foreshadows the suffering of Christ, who was "crushed for our iniquities" (<a href="/isaiah/53-5.htm">Isaiah 53:5</a>).<p><b>Making me dwell in darkness</b><br>Darkness in the Bible often symbolizes chaos, evil, and separation from God. The psalmist's dwelling in darkness suggests a period of spiritual desolation and alienation. This can be compared to the Israelites' experience in Egypt, a land of darkness and oppression, before their deliverance (<a href="/exodus/10-21.htm">Exodus 10:21-23</a>). The imagery of darkness also points to the spiritual darkness that enveloped the world before the coming of Christ, the Light of the World (<a href="/john/8-12.htm">John 8:12</a>).<p><b>Like those long since dead</b><br>This phrase evokes the imagery of Sheol, the abode of the dead in ancient Hebrew thought, where the deceased were believed to exist in a shadowy, inactive state. The psalmist feels as if he is among the dead, cut off from the land of the living and from God's presence. This reflects a profound sense of hopelessness and despair. However, it also anticipates the resurrection hope found in Christ, who conquered death and offers eternal life to believers (<a href="/1_corinthians/15-54.htm">1 Corinthians 15:54-57</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of this psalm, David is expressing a deep sense of distress and persecution, likely during a time of personal crisis or when pursued by enemies such as King Saul or his son Absalom.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/enemies.htm">Enemies</a></b><br>The adversaries who are pursuing David, representing both physical foes and spiritual forces of darkness that seek to oppress and destroy.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/d/darkness.htm">Darkness</a></b><br>Symbolic of despair, hopelessness, and separation from God’s presence, often used in the Psalms to describe a state of spiritual or emotional turmoil.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_grave.htm">The Grave (Sheol)</a></b><br>The reference to "those long since dead" evokes the Hebrew concept of Sheol, a place of darkness and silence, emphasizing the depth of David's despair.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/pursuit.htm">Pursuit</a></b><br>The relentless chase by enemies, which can be both literal and metaphorical, representing ongoing spiritual battles faced by believers.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_spiritual_warfare.htm">Understanding Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>Recognize that believers face both physical and spiritual enemies. The pursuit by enemies in <a href="/psalms/143-3.htm">Psalm 143:3</a> can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual warfare, where the enemy seeks to crush our spirit and lead us into darkness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_despair.htm">The Reality of Despair</a></b><br>Acknowledge that even faithful believers like David experience times of deep despair and darkness. It is important to bring these feelings before God in prayer, as David does throughout the Psalms.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god_as_our_refuge.htm">God as Our Refuge</a></b><br>Despite the darkness, believers are encouraged to seek refuge in God. <a href="/bsb/psalms/143.htm">Psalm 143</a> as a whole is a plea for deliverance and guidance, reminding us that God is our ultimate source of hope and light.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/perseverance_in_faith.htm">Perseverance in Faith</a></b><br>In times of trial, maintain faith and trust in God's deliverance. The psalmist's cry for help is a model of perseverance and reliance on God's faithfulness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_prayer.htm">The Power of Prayer</a></b><br>Use prayer as a powerful tool to combat spiritual darkness. David's psalm is a heartfelt prayer that demonstrates the importance of turning to God in times of need.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_143.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 143</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_david's_conflicts.htm">Psalm 143 speaks of persistent enemies; is there historical or archaeological evidence corroborating David’s conflicts at the time? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_meaning_of_psalm_23.htm">What is the meaning of Psalm 23?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_psalm_124_3_metaphorical_or_unverified.htm">Psalm 124:3 describes enemies swallowing Israel alive, but there is no archaeological evidence of such an event. Could this be metaphorical, or is it historically unverified?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_psalm_3_7_conflict_with_mercy_themes.htm">Does Psalm 3:7, which portrays God striking enemies, conflict with other biblical passages emphasizing mercy or nonviolence?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/143.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) This verse explains the last. The affliction under which the psalmist suffers is evidence that God is visiting for sin.<p><span class= "bld">He hath made </span>. . .--See <a href="/lamentations/3-6.htm" title="He has set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old.">Lamentations 3:6</a>; and comp. <a href="/context/psalms/88-5.htm" title="Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom you remember no more: and they are cut off from your hand.">Psalm 88:5-6</a>.<p><span class= "bld">Long dead.</span>--Literally, either <span class= "ital">dead of old, </span>or <span class= "ital">dead for ever, </span>according as we take <span class= "ital">'olam </span>of past or future time. LXX., <span class= "greekheb">??????? ??????</span>; Vulg., <span class= "ital">mortuos saeculi.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/143.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For the enemy hath persecuted my soul</span>. "The enemy" may be Saul, but is more probably an abstract expression - for "my enemies" generally. <span class="cmt_word">He hath smitten my life down to the ground;</span> or, "crushed my life to the ground" - brought me, <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>., very low (comp. <a href="/psalms/42-6.htm">Psalm 42:6</a>). <span class="cmt_word">He hath made me to dwell in darkness</span> (comp. <a href="/psalms/88-6.htm">Psalm 88:6</a>). <span class="cmt_word">As those that have been long dead.</span> I have dwelt in a darkness like that of <span class="accented">Shell</span>; <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. in gloom and unhappiness (comp. <a href="/lamentations/3-6.htm">Lamentations 3:6</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/143-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the enemy</span><br /><span class="heb">אוֹיֵ֨ב ׀</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·w·yêḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_341.htm">Strong's 341: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hating, an adversary</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has pursued</span><br /><span class="heb">רָ֘דַ֤ף</span> <span class="translit">(rā·ḏap̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7291.htm">Strong's 7291: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pursue, chase, persecute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my soul,</span><br /><span class="heb">נַפְשִׁ֗י</span> <span class="translit">(nap̄·šî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><br /><span class="word">crushing</span><br /><span class="heb">דִּכָּ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(dik·kā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1792.htm">Strong's 1792: </a> </span><span class="str2">To crumble, to bruise</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my life</span><br /><span class="heb">חַיָּתִ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(ḥay·yā·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> </span><span class="str2">Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the ground,</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֭אָרֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(lā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">making me dwell</span><br /><span class="heb">הוֹשִׁיבַ֥נִי</span> <span class="translit">(hō·wō·šî·ḇa·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in darkness</span><br /><span class="heb">בְ֝מַחֲשַׁכִּ֗ים</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·ma·ḥă·šak·kîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4285.htm">Strong's 4285: </a> </span><span class="str2">Darkness, a dark place</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like those long since</span><br /><span class="heb">עוֹלָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·w·lām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5769.htm">Strong's 5769: </a> </span><span class="str2">Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always</span><br /><br /><span class="word">dead.</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּמֵתֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(kə·mê·ṯê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/143-3.htm">Psalm 143:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/143-3.htm">Psalm 143:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/143-3.htm">Psalm 143:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/143-3.htm">Psalm 143:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/143-3.htm">Psalm 143:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/143-3.htm">Psalm 143:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/143-3.htm">Psalm 143:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/143-3.htm">Psalm 143:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/143-3.htm">Psalm 143:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/143-3.htm">Psalm 143:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/143-3.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 143:3 For the enemy pursues my soul (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/143-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 143:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 143:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/143-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 143:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 143:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>