Psalms 143:11 Meaning and Explanation
“Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist asks God to restore him to life for the sake of God's reputation and righteous character.
The Context of Psalms 143:11
A plea for deliverance grounded in God's character and reputation.
What Does Psalms 143:11 Mean?
Quicken me—bring me back to life—is the fundamental request. The psalmist is at the boundary between life and death and needs resurrection into living. But notice the grounds: not for the psalmist's merit but for God's name's sake. God's reputation is bound up with saving His servant. When the faithful cry out, God's honor is at stake if He does not deliver.
The parallel request—bring my soul out of trouble—frames salvation in terms of God's righteousness. A righteous God acts justly and mercifully; He vindicates those who trust Him. By appealing to both God's name and His righteousness, the psalmist affirms that rescue is not arbitrary favor but an expression of God's essential character and justice.
Psalms 143:11 in the Original Language
chayah (חָיָה), 'quicken' — to make alive, revive, or preserve life; often used of restoring vitality after near death.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 143:11
What does Psalms 143:11 mean?
The psalmist asks God to restore him to life for the sake of God's reputation and righteous character.
What is the context of Psalms 143:11?
A plea for deliverance grounded in God's character and reputation.