The cry in this Psalm seems naturally to follow the preceding one; for there the suppliant was deserted of his friends; here he finds himself, consequently, in the midst of enemies. Both in its conception and application I read it as I did the last.
“The land,” where this afflicted one is now toiling in so much conscious grief and enmity of the wicked, he calls a “thirsty land;” but the land he looks for he calls by two beautiful titles—“the land of the living,” and “the land of uprightness” (Psa. 142:5; 143:6,105I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. (Psalm 142:5)
6I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah. (Psalm 143:6)
10Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. (Psalm 143:10)). These are happy, honorable titles of God’s place and kingdom in Judea, as it will be by and by. In divine reckoning, righteousness (uprightness) and life are always found together, as are sin and death. “If there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.”
But this Psalm suggests, that while they are suffering for righteousness’ sake in the latter day, Israel will be learning their own ways, and that before God they are but poor sinners. While they cry for deliverance and vindication against man, they confess sin to God, desiring to be led of His Spirit, without whom nothing is holy. The land of uprightness, as well as the land of the living, they seek to be kept in God’s paths of righteousness, as well as to be led out of their present place of death into the kingdom of the living God.
This is blessed preparation for the kingdom to which they are now hastening—suffering for righteousness’ sake, and yet learning their worthlessness as sinners. And this is the path’ of each saint, humbled before God, brokenhearted by reason of conscious short-coming, standing in the full liberty of Christ, and walking among men in suffering righteousness.