Psalms 143:2
And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
Original Language Analysis
וְאַל
H408
וְאַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
1 of 11
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
בְ֭מִשְׁפָּט
not into judgment
H4941
בְ֭מִשְׁפָּט
not into judgment
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
3 of 11
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
4 of 11
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִצְדַּ֖ק
be justified
H6663
יִצְדַּ֖ק
be justified
Strong's:
H6663
Word #:
8 of 11
to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense)
לְפָנֶ֣יךָ
for in thy sight
H6440
לְפָנֶ֣יךָ
for in thy sight
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
9 of 11
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 7:20For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.Romans 3:20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.Job 25:4How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?Job 14:3And dost thou open thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest me into judgment with thee?Psalms 130:3If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?Galatians 2:16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.Job 15:14What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?1 John 1:10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.Job 4:17Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?Exodus 34:7Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
Historical Context
Psalm 143 is the last of the seven Penitential Psalms (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143), used throughout church history for confession and intercession. Early Christians recited these psalms during Lent. The psalm's superscription attributes it to David but provides no specific historical context, making it applicable to any believer's experience of guilt and need for divine mercy. The theology here—human unrighteousness before God's holiness—permeates the entire Old Testament witness and finds systematic expression in Paul's Romans exposition.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing that 'no man living be justified' in God's sight deepen appreciation for justification by faith?
- What is the difference between fearing judgment as an unbeliever versus as a repentant servant of God?
- How should this verse shape your approach to confession and prayer?
Analysis & Commentary
And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. This plea introduces one of Scripture's most profound theological statements: universal human unrighteousness before God's perfect standard. The imperative "enter not into judgment" (al-tavo bemishpat, אַל־תָּבוֹא בְמִשְׁפָּט) begs God not to proceed with formal legal proceedings against David. Though God's servant, David knows he cannot withstand divine scrutiny.
"In thy sight" (lephanekha, לְפָנֶיךָ) means literally "before your face," in God's direct presence where nothing is hidden. The assertion "no man living be justified" (lo-yitsdak kol-chai, לֹא־יִצְדַּק כָּל־חָי) uses tsadaq (צָדַק), the root for righteousness—to be declared righteous, vindicated, or acquitted. David declares the impossibility of self-justification before God.
This verse profoundly anticipates Romans 3:20: "by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight." Paul quotes Psalm 143:2 to establish universal sinfulness and the necessity of justification by faith alone. What David feared—standing in judgment—Christ endured, bearing our judgment so we might receive His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). Believers can therefore cry "Abba, Father" rather than fleeing judgment.