my heart is dismayed inside me.
The heart, in biblical terms, often signifies the center of one's being, encompassing mind, emotions, and will. The dismay described here suggests a state of confusion, fear, or overwhelming distress. Historically, David faced numerous situations that could lead to such dismay, including betrayal and the threat of death. This internal turmoil is a common theme in the Psalms, where the psalmist frequently turns to God for solace and guidance (Psalm 61:2). The dismayed heart can also be seen as a foreshadowing of Christ's own troubled heart, as He faced the cross (John 12:27). This phrase encourages believers to bring their own fears and uncertainties before God, trusting in His ability to provide peace and clarity.

• David speaks literally of inner exhaustion; he feels life ebbing away, much like Elijah under the broom tree (1 Kings 19:4–5) and Jonah in the fish’s belly (Jonah 2:7).

• Psalm 142:3 echoes the same wording: “When my spirit grows faint within me, You know my path.” The repetition shows that believers can reach a point where strength runs out, yet God remains aware and present.

• Isaiah 40:29 reminds, “He gives power to the faint,” underscoring that human frailty is not the end of the story.

• The apostle Paul admits similar weakness in 2 Corinthians 1:8–9, teaching that despair can press us to rely wholly on the Lord who raises the dead.

• Takeaway: the verse acknowledges real, tangible fatigue—emotionally, mentally, even physically—while also pointing to the One who sustains the faint.

• “Heart” here describes the seat of emotions and will. David confesses that fear and confusion have invaded the very core of his being (see Psalm 55:4–5, “My heart murmurs within me, and the terrors of death assail me”).

• The dismay is not unbelief but honest recognition of overwhelming circumstances—enemies closing in (Psalm 143:3) and memories of better days fading (Psalm 143:5).

• Proverbs 13:12 notes, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick,” explaining why prolonged trials breed dismay.

• Yet Psalm 73:26 counters, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever,” offering the remedy built into the psalmist’s lament.

• Takeaway: believers can admit deep discouragement without forfeiting faith; confession of dismay is often the first step toward renewed courage.

Psalm 143:4 captures the literal experience of a believer whose inner strength has collapsed and whose emotions are overwhelmed. David’s candor teaches that godly people can feel faint and dismayed, yet those feelings drive them toward God’s sustaining power. Scripture consistently affirms both our frailty and the Lord’s unfailing strength to revive the fainthearted and steady the troubled heart.

Is desolate.--Or, more literally, as in Isaiah 59:16; Isaiah 63:5, &c, wondered; literally, fills itself with astonishment.