Psalm 143 4

Psalm 143:4 kjv

Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.

Psalm 143:4 nkjv

Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; My heart within me is distressed.

Psalm 143:4 niv

So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed.

Psalm 143:4 esv

Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled.

Psalm 143:4 nlt

I am losing all hope;
I am paralyzed with fear.

Psalm 143 verses

Psalm 143 4 Meaning

Psalm 143:4 describes the psalmist's profound inner turmoil and spiritual distress. His spirit, the innermost being, feels overwhelmed, suffocated, and faint, as if it is collapsing under immense pressure. Simultaneously, his heart, the center of his thoughts, emotions, and will, is described as dismayed or desolate, indicating a complete loss of courage, hope, or inner vitality, leading to a state of inner emptiness and ruin. This verse portrays an intensely personal and comprehensive breakdown of spirit and will from within.

Psalm 143 4 Context

Psalm 143 is the last of the penitential psalms (Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143) and is believed to have been written by David. The immediate verses (1-3) preceding verse 4 detail the psalmist's desperate plea to God for hearing and answer, acknowledging his own unrighteousness before the Holy God, and lamenting the persecution by an enemy who has crushed him to the ground, forcing him to dwell in darkness. The enemy's actions have "beaten my life down to the ground" and made him "dwell in dark places." Verse 4 directly reflects the internal outcome of this severe external oppression and the psalmist's sense of his own weakness and sin. It portrays the deeply personal and emotional devastation caused by his circumstances and awareness of his own frailty, serving as a powerful cry from the depth of utter despondency.

Psalm 143 4 Word analysis

• Therefore (עַל־כֵּ֭ן, al-kēn): This conjunction signifies a consequence or result. It explicitly links the profound internal distress described in this verse to the severe external pressures and the psalmist's introspection recounted in the preceding verses. His spiritual and emotional state is a direct outcome of the overwhelming circumstances he faces and his personal awareness before God.
• my spirit (רוּחִי֙, ruachi): In Hebrew thought, ruach refers to the animating breath, life-force, the spiritual or innermost essence of a person. It is the core of consciousness, personality, and relationship with God. The psalmist's use of "my spirit" here indicates that the distress penetrates to the very deepest level of his being, beyond mere emotions.
• is overwhelmed (עָטְפָ֣ה, ataphah): This verb means "to be faint," "to grow weak," or literally "to be wrapped around" or "to be covered over." It suggests a state of being enveloped, stifled, or suffocated by sorrow or pressure, leading to a sense of spiritual collapse, similar to fainting or becoming completely enshrouded by darkness. It's a deep, existential fatigue.
• within me (בְּקִרְבִּ֑י, b'qirbi): Literally "in my midst" or "in my inward parts." This emphasizes that the overwhelming sensation is internal, arising from the core of his being, rather than solely an external attack. It highlights the profound personal experience of the distress.
• my heart (לִבִּֽי, libbi): In biblical Hebrew, the "heart" (lev or levav) is not merely the seat of emotion, but the totality of the inner person: intellect, will, conscience, and emotions. It is the control center for decision-making and character. So, a "dismayed heart" signifies a profound disorientation and collapse of one's entire inner operating system.
• is dismayed (יִשְׁתּוֹמֵם֙, yishmômēm): From the root shamem, meaning "to be desolate," "to be appalled," "to be astonished," or "to lay waste." When applied to the heart, it implies a sense of emptiness, abandonment, utter ruin, or being paralyzed by shock. It conveys a state of inner wasteland, where vitality and hope are extinguished. This is stronger than mere sadness; it's a feeling of internal desolation and incapacitation.
• within me (בְּקִרְבִּֽי, b'qirbi): The repetition of "within me" after both "spirit" and "heart" serves as an emphatic double statement. It reinforces that the internal desolation is thorough and pervades every facet of his innermost being, leaving no part untouched by the suffering.

Psalm 143 4 Bonus section

This verse encapsulates a crucial aspect of biblical anthropology: the distinction and interconnectedness of "spirit" and "heart" as fundamental aspects of human inner experience. While distinct, their simultaneous distress highlights a comprehensive suffering that permeates every level of a person's being. This deep personal suffering is often a precursor to a renewed turning to God for solace, wisdom, and deliverance, illustrating that even in the most profound human weakness, God is the ultimate source of strength. The repetition of "within me" also signifies an important boundary; while external factors trigger this distress, its experience and internal effect are deeply personal and subjective, calling for a God who understands the innermost parts of humanity. The experience described is a testament to the frailty of even the most faithful human being when separated from the sustaining power of God's presence or feeling His judgment for sin.

Psalm 143 4 Commentary

Psalm 143:4 powerfully articulates a state of profound human anguish where the spirit feels stifled and the heart is desolate. This isn't superficial sadness but a deep spiritual and emotional crisis originating from within the individual, exacerbated by external pressures and a keen awareness of personal limitations before God. The psalmist expresses the utter helplessness and brokenness experienced when one's inner strength fails completely. It describes the "dark night of the soul," a period of intense spiritual suffering, disorientation, and perceived abandonment. Yet, it's also a common, honest cry in biblical laments, allowing for raw emotion before God, paving the way for divine comfort and deliverance that is sought later in the psalm. It acknowledges that human capacity to endure sorrow has limits, and at these limits, only God's intervention can restore.

• Examples:
  • A believer undergoing a period of severe spiritual dryness, feeling detached and exhausted in their faith journey.
  • Someone experiencing deep personal loss, where the weight of grief feels suffocating, and all joy has left their life.
  • An individual grappling with intense guilt over past sins, leading to internal desolation and despair, finding it hard to believe in forgiveness.