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Discover the Arts! Each day a different image from the Literary, Performing, or Visual Arts representing a portion of Scripture
plus an explanation with links

2015 June 24



Thirst (1886)
William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905)
Academic Realism Style
Location Unknown
Image Source: Wikimedia


     Explanation: In Psalm 143 David asks for relief from persecution and for instruction in righteousness. Today's painting illustrates verse 6, in which David speaks of his thirst for God. The occasion is unspecified, but David knew that he deserved his affliction (verse 2). Such thoughts were prominent in David's mind after his sin with Bathsheba, his rebuke by Nathan the prophet, and his persecution by his son Absalom.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: 1 Samuel 18 - 2 Samuel 1. TYPES OF PSALMS: Penitential Psalms: Psalm 6. Psalm 32. Psalm 38. Psalm 51. Psalm 102. Psalm 130. Psalm 143. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: GENERAL. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). VARIOUS ARTISTS: Psalm 143 - #1. Psalm 143 - #2. Psalm 143 - #3. Psalm 143 - #4. Psalm 143 - #5. Psalm 143 - #6. Psalm 143 - #7. Psalm 143 - #8. Psalm 143 - #9. Psalm 143 - #10. Psalm 143 - #11. Psalm 143 - #12. Psalm 143 - #13. ]

     David asks the LORD to hear him in his faithfulness and his righteousness (1). He asks the LORD not to enter into judgment with him because no one will be justified in God's sight (2). His enemy had persecuted him and brought him so low that he was like one who had been long dead (3). His spirit was overwhelmed; and his heart was desolate (4). But, as remembers the days of old and God's works, he stretches out his hands to God; and he thirsts for God as a thirsty land thirsts for water (5-6). He asks God to hear him speedily because his spirit fails him; and he asks that God will not forsake him lest he be like one who goes down to the pit (7). He asks that he might hear God's lovingkindness in the morning because he trusts in God; and he asks that God will cause him to know the way in which he should walk because he trusts God (8). He asks to be delivered from his enemies because he flees to God to be hidden (9). He asks God to teach him to do his will and to lead him into the land of uprightness because God is his God and his Spirit is good (10). He asks the LORD to quicken him and to bring his soul out of trouble for his name's sake and for his righteousness' sake (11). He closes by asking God to cut off his enemies in his mercy and to destroy all of those who afflict his soul because he is God's servant (12).


THE PSALTER:

BOOK FIVE OF FIVE:

Psalms 107-150.


Psalm 143

1 A Psalm of David. *


Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
3 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.
4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.

7 Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
8 Cause 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.
9 Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
11 Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.
12 And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.


* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]




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