Psalms 143:7 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist urgently requests God to respond quickly lest he fall completely into death and separation from God.
The Context of Psalms 143:7
A desperate plea for God's immediate intervention before the psalmist's final collapse.
What Does Psalms 143:7 Mean?
Time is now crucial. The plea is for speed—'speedily'—because the psalmist's spirit is failing. He is at a threshold; without God's intervention soon, he will not recover. The request is agonized: do not simply hear, but hear me quickly. This urgency reflects the proximity of complete collapse.
The central fear is that God will hide His face—withdraw His presence. For the ancient believer, separation from God's presence meant death itself, falling into the pit where the dead dwell beyond God's reach. The psalmist is racing against the clock of his own failing strength. Every moment of silence from heaven brings him closer to the point of no return.
Psalms 143:7 in the Original Language
yashbar (יָשְׁבַר), 'faileth' — to break, break down, or be broken; often used of courage or strength giving way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 143:7
What does Psalms 143:7 mean?
The psalmist urgently requests God to respond quickly lest he fall completely into death and separation from God.
What is the context of Psalms 143:7?
A desperate plea for God's immediate intervention before the psalmist's final collapse.