Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. New Living Translation I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed with fear. English Standard Version Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled. Berean Standard Bible My spirit grows faint within me; my heart is dismayed inside me. King James Bible Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. New King James Version Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; My heart within me is distressed. New American Standard Bible Therefore my spirit feels weak within me; My heart is appalled within me. NASB 1995 Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; My heart is appalled within me. NASB 1977 Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; My heart is appalled within me. Legacy Standard Bible Therefore my spirit was faint within me; My heart was appalled within me. Amplified Bible Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed and weak within me [wrapped in darkness]; My heart grows numb within me. Christian Standard Bible My spirit is weak within me; my heart is overcome with dismay. Holman Christian Standard Bible My spirit is weak within me; my heart is overcome with dismay. American Standard Version Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; My heart within me is desolate. Contemporary English Version I have given up hope, and I feel numb all over. English Revised Version Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. GOD'S WORD® Translation That is why I begin to lose hope and my heart is in a state of shock. Good News Translation So I am ready to give up; I am in deep despair. International Standard Version As a result, my spirit is desolate within me, and my mind within me is appalled. NET Bible My strength leaves me; I am absolutely shocked. New Heart English Bible Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me. My heart within me is desolate. Webster's Bible Translation Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleMy spirit grows faint within me; my heart is dismayed inside me. World English Bible Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me. My heart within me is desolate. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd my spirit has become feeble in me, "" My heart has become desolate within me. Young's Literal Translation And my spirit in me is become feeble, Within me is my heart become desolate. Smith's Literal Translation And my spirit will languish upon me, and my heart will be desolate within me. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims Bibleand my spirit is in anguish within me: my heart within me is troubled. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible My spirit is faint within me; my heart despairs. New Revised Standard Version Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleTherefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is troubled. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated My spirit is troubled against me and my heart is moved within me. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And my spirit fainteth within me; My heart within me is appalled. Brenton Septuagint Translation Therefore my spirit was grieved in me; my heart was troubled within me. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context I Stretch Out My Hands to You…3For the enemy has pursued my soul, crushing my life to the ground, making me dwell in darkness like those long since dead. 4My spirit grows faint within me; my heart is dismayed inside me. 5I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I consider the work of Your hands.… Cross References Psalm 42:6 O my God, my soul despairs within me. Therefore I remember You from the land of Jordan and the peaks of Hermon—even from Mount Mizar. Psalm 77:3 I remembered You, O God, and I groaned; I mused and my spirit grew faint. Selah Psalm 142:3 Although my spirit grows faint within me, You know my way. Along the path I travel they have hidden a snare for me. Lamentations 3:20 Surely my soul remembers and is humbled within me. Job 17:1 “My spirit is broken; my days are extinguished; the grave awaits me. Isaiah 57:16 For I will not accuse you forever, nor will I always be angry; for then the spirit of man would grow weak before Me—the breath of life I have made. 2 Corinthians 1:8 We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Psalm 38:8 I am numb and badly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart. Psalm 55:4-5 My heart pounds within me, and the terrors of death assail me. / Fear and trembling grip me, and horror has overwhelmed me. Psalm 88:3-4 For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. / I am counted among those descending to the Pit. I am like a man without strength. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; / persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. Matthew 26:38 Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.” Psalm 102:4 My heart is afflicted, and withered like grass; I even forget to eat my bread. Psalm 31:9-10 Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes fail from sorrow, my soul and body as well. / For my life is consumed with grief and my years with groaning; my iniquity has drained my strength, and my bones are wasting away. Psalm 69:20 Insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found no one. Treasury of Scripture Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. is my spirit Psalm 55:5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. Psalm 61:2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 77:3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. my heart Psalm 25:16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted. Psalm 102:3,4 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth… Psalm 119:81-83 CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word… Jump to Previous Appalled Desolate Dismayed Faint Fainteth Faints Fear Feeble Full Grows Heart Overcome Overwhelmed Spirit WithinJump to Next Appalled Desolate Dismayed Faint Fainteth Faints Fear Feeble Full Grows Heart Overcome Overwhelmed Spirit WithinPsalm 143 1. David prays for favor in judgment3. He complains of his grief 5. He strengthens his faith by meditation and prayer 7. He prays for grace 9. For deliverance 10. For sanctification 12. For destruction of his enemies My spirit grows faint within me; This phrase reflects a deep sense of personal weakness and exhaustion. In the biblical context, the spirit often represents the inner life or the seat of emotions and will. The psalmist, traditionally understood to be David, expresses a profound weariness that can be linked to his many trials, such as fleeing from Saul or dealing with family strife. This sentiment is echoed in other scriptures, such as Psalm 42:6, where the psalmist's soul is downcast. The fainting spirit can also be seen as a type of Christ's suffering, as Jesus experienced deep anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:38). The phrase invites believers to identify with the psalmist's vulnerability and to seek God's strength in times of personal weakness. my heart is dismayed inside me. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidTraditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 143, David is expressing a deep sense of distress and seeking God's deliverance. 2. God The central figure to whom David directs his plea for help and strength. 3. Enemies Though not explicitly mentioned in this verse, the context of the psalm suggests that David is surrounded by adversaries, contributing to his sense of despair. Teaching Points Understanding Spiritual FaintnessRecognize that feeling spiritually faint or dismayed is a common human experience, even for those with strong faith like David. Turning to God in Distress David's response to his faintness is to turn to God, highlighting the importance of seeking divine help in times of trouble. The Role of Prayer This psalm underscores the power of prayer as a means to express our deepest fears and anxieties to God, trusting in His ability to provide comfort and strength. Hope in God's Faithfulness Despite feelings of dismay, believers are encouraged to remember God's past faithfulness and trust in His continued presence and support. Community Support While the psalm is a personal lament, it also serves as a reminder of the importance of community in supporting one another through prayer and encouragement. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Psalm 143:4?2. How can Psalm 143:4 guide us in times of spiritual despair? 3. What does "my spirit grows faint" reveal about human reliance on God? 4. How does Psalm 143:4 connect with Jesus' teachings on seeking God's strength? 5. In what ways can we apply Psalm 143:4 to our daily prayer life? 6. How can understanding Psalm 143:4 deepen our trust in God's sustaining power? 7. How does Psalm 143:4 reflect the human experience of despair and spiritual struggle? 8. What historical context influenced the writing of Psalm 143:4? 9. How does Psalm 143:4 relate to the overall theme of seeking God's guidance in Psalms? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 143? 11. What does it mean to contemplate purity? 12. Why is daily prayer important? 13. In Psalm 84:2, how can one physically 'long and faint' for God's courts if they are non-physical spaces? 14. How does the Bible guide emotional management? What Does Psalm 143:4 Mean My spirit grows faint within me• 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. my heart is dismayed inside me • “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. summary 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. (4) See Psalm 142:3, and Notes.Is desolate.--Or, more literally, as in Isaiah 59:16; Isaiah 63:5, &c, wondered; literally, fills itself with astonishment. Verse 4. - Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; or, "faint within me" (see Psalm 42:3). My heart within me is desolate (comp. Psalm 40:15).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew My spiritרוּחִ֑י (rū·ḥî) Noun - common singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit grows faint וַתִּתְעַטֵּ֣ף (wat·tiṯ·‘aṭ·ṭêp̄) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 5848: To shroud, clothe, to languish within me; עָלַ֣י (‘ā·lay) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against my heart לִבִּֽי׃ (lib·bî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre is dismayed יִשְׁתּוֹמֵ֥ם (yiš·tō·w·mêm) Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 8074: To stun, devastate, stupefy inside me. בְּ֝תוֹכִ֗י (bə·ṯō·w·ḵî) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre Links Psalm 143:4 NIVPsalm 143:4 NLT Psalm 143:4 ESV Psalm 143:4 NASB Psalm 143:4 KJV Psalm 143:4 BibleApps.com Psalm 143:4 Biblia Paralela Psalm 143:4 Chinese Bible Psalm 143:4 French Bible Psalm 143:4 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Psalm 143:4 Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me (Psalm Ps Psa.) |