Psalms 143:3

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

כִּ֥י H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
רָ֘דַ֤ף hath persecuted H7291
רָ֘דַ֤ף hath persecuted
Strong's: H7291
Word #: 2 of 11
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
אוֹיֵ֨ב׀ For the enemy H341
אוֹיֵ֨ב׀ For the enemy
Strong's: H341
Word #: 3 of 11
hating; an adversary
נַפְשִׁ֗י my soul H5315
נַפְשִׁ֗י my soul
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 4 of 11
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
דִּכָּ֣א down H1792
דִּכָּ֣א down
Strong's: H1792
Word #: 5 of 11
to crumble; transitively, to bruise (literally or figuratively)
לָ֭אָרֶץ to the ground H776
לָ֭אָרֶץ to the ground
Strong's: H776
Word #: 6 of 11
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
חַיָּתִ֑י my life H2416
חַיָּתִ֑י my life
Strong's: H2416
Word #: 7 of 11
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
הוֹשִׁיבַ֥נִי he hath made me to dwell H3427
הוֹשִׁיבַ֥נִי he hath made me to dwell
Strong's: H3427
Word #: 8 of 11
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בְ֝מַחֲשַׁכִּ֗ים in darkness H4285
בְ֝מַחֲשַׁכִּ֗ים in darkness
Strong's: H4285
Word #: 9 of 11
darkness; concretely, a dark place
כְּמֵתֵ֥י dead H4191
כְּמֵתֵ֥י dead
Strong's: H4191
Word #: 10 of 11
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
עוֹלָֽם׃ as those that have been long H5769
עוֹלָֽם׃ as those that have been long
Strong's: H5769
Word #: 11 of 11
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

Analysis & Commentary

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. David describes his affliction with three escalating images: persecution, being struck down, and dwelling in death-like darkness. "The enemy" (oyev, אוֹיֵב) is singular, perhaps referring to a primary adversary (like Saul or Absalom) or personifying all opposition. The verb radaph (רָדַף), "persecuted," means to pursue, chase, or hunt—David feels like hunted prey.

"Smitten my life down to the ground" (dikka la'arets chayati, דִּכָּא לָאָרֶץ חַיָּתִי) uses daka (דָּכָא), meaning to crush, beat to pieces, or pulverize. His chayyah (life-force) is crushed to the earth—utter devastation. The third image is most startling: dwelling in machashakkim (מַחֲשַׁכִּים, darkness) like metei olam (מֵתֵי עוֹלָם, the dead of old/long ago). David feels entombed among the ancient dead, cut off from life and light.

This language anticipates Christ's descent into death, His three days in the tomb. Yet David's darkness wasn't final, nor was Christ's. Resurrection morning came, and with it the vindication that David's psalm anticipates. For believers, even when circumstances feel death-like, resurrection hope sustains.

Historical Context

Whether written during Saul's persecution, Absalom's rebellion, or another crisis, this psalm captures the experience of feeling utterly defeated and abandoned to darkness. In ancient Israelite thought, Sheol (the realm of the dead) was characterized by darkness and silence—separation from life, community, and God's active presence (Psalm 88:3-6, 10-12). To 'dwell in darkness as those long dead' expressed the psychological and spiritual devastation of being cut off from hope, similar to clinical depression or trauma.

Questions for Reflection