Psaume 141:8

8 C'est vers toi, Eternel, Seigneur! que se tournent mes yeux, C'est auprès de toi que je cherche un refuge: N'abandonne pas mon âme!

Psaume 141:8 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 141:8

But mine eyes are unto thee, O God the Lord
Not only the eyes of his body, lifted up to God in prayer, this being a prayer gesture, ( John 11:41 ) ( 17:1 ) ; but the eyes of his mind, or understanding, especially the eyes of faith and love; for it is expressive of his affection to God, his holy confidence in him, and humble hope and expectation of good things from him, in this his time of distress: his eyes were to him and him only, both for temporal food for himself and his men; and for spiritual food, for all supplies of grace, for wisdom and direction, for strength and assistance, for protection and deliverance; in thee is my trust;
not in himself, nor in his friends, nor in any creature, prince or potentate, but in the Lord, as the God of nature, providence, and grace; to which he was encouraged by his lovingkindness to him; by the everlasting strength in him; by what he had done for others and for him in times past; by the provisions he has made in his covenant and promises for those that trust in him, who are of all men most happy; leave not my soul destitute;
of daily food, of help and assistance, of the presence, spirit, and grace of God; or "naked" F7, and defenceless, but let it be surrounded or protected by almighty power and grace; or "pour not out my soul" F8, that is, unto death; suffer me not to be taken by enemies and slain; see ( Isaiah 53:12 ) . The Targum is,

``in the Word (of the Lord) I trust, do not empty my soul,''
or "evacuate" F9 it, as Aben Ezra; that is, out of his body; for he observes, that the soul fills the body.
FOOTNOTES:

F7 (ret la) "ne nudes", Junius & Tremellius; so Piscator.
F8 "Ne effandas", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Musculus.
F9 "Ne evacues", Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis.

Psaume 141:8 In-Context

6 Que leurs juges soient précipités le long des rochers, Et l'on écoutera mes paroles, car elles sont agréables.
7 Comme quand on laboure et qu'on fend la terre, Ainsi nos os sont dispersés à l'entrée du séjour des morts.
8 C'est vers toi, Eternel, Seigneur! que se tournent mes yeux, C'est auprès de toi que je cherche un refuge: N'abandonne pas mon âme!
9 Garantis-moi du piège qu'ils me tendent, Et des embûches de ceux qui font le mal!
10 Que les méchants tombent dans leurs filets, Et que j'échappe en même temps!
The Louis Segond 1910 is in the public domain.