John Gill Commentary Psalms 143:6

"I spread forth my hands unto thee: My soul [thirsteth] after thee, as a weary land. Selah" — Psalms 143:6 (ASV)

I stretch forth my hands unto thee
In prayer, as the Targum adds; for this is a prayer gesture, (1 Kings 8:38) (Isaiah 1:15) ; both hands were stretched forth, earnestly imploring help, and ready to receive and embrace every blessing bestowed with thankfulness;

my soul [thirsts] after thee as a thirsty land .
As a dry land, which wants water, gapes, and as it were thirsts for rain, which is very refreshing to it; so his soul thirsted after God, after his word and ordinances, after communion with him in them, after his grace and fresh supplies of it; particularly after pardoning grace and mercy, after the coming of Christ, and the blessings of grace by him; as reconciliation, atonement, righteousness, and salvation; after more knowledge of God and Christ, and divine truths; and after the enjoyment of them in heaven to all eternity. Some copies read, "in a thirsty land" ^F24 , and so some versions; see (Psalms 42:1Psalms 42:2) (63:1) (84:2) .

Selah; on this word, (See Gill on Psalms 3:2).

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FOOTNOTES:

• F24: (Urab) Cod. Heb. Bomberg. Venet. "in terra siticulosa", Musculus, Tarnovius.