Psalms 141:8

8 But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign LORD; in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death.

Psalms 141:8 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
8 But mine eyes are unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.
English Standard Version (ESV)
8 But my eyes are toward you, O GOD, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless!
New Living Translation (NLT)
8 I look to you for help, O Sovereign LORD . You are my refuge; don’t let them kill me.
The Message Bible (MSG)
8 But God, dear Lord, I only have eyes for you. Since I've run for dear life to you, take good care of me.
American Standard Version (ASV)
8 For mine eyes are unto thee, O Jehovah the Lord: In thee do I take refuge; Leave not my soul destitute.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
8 My eyes look to you, LORD Almighty. I have taken refuge in you. Do not leave me defenseless.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
8 But my eyes [look] to You, Lord God . I seek refuge in You; do not let me die.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
8 But LORD and King, I keep looking to you. I go to you for safety. Don't let me die.

Psalms 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.

Psalms 141:8 In-Context

6 Their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs, and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.
7 They will say, “As one plows and breaks up the earth, so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave.”
8 But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign LORD; in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death.
9 Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers, from the snares they have laid for me.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Psalms 123:2; Psalms 25:15
  • 2. Psalms 2:12; Psalms 11:1
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