Psalms 143:12 - Exposition

And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies . In thy goodness towards me, remove those enemies whose conduct towards me has been described in Psalms 143:3 , Psalms 143:4 . And destroy all them that afflict my soul . This is David's ordinary prayer with respect to his enemies, whom be counts as God's adversaries, and the persecutors of faithful Israel (see Psalms 5:10 ; Psalms 7:9 ; Psalms 10:15 ; Psalms 28:4 , Psalms 28:5 ; Psalms 35:4-6 , Psalms 35:8 , etc.). For I am thy servant . Entitled, therefore, to thy special care and protection (comp. Psalms 27:9 ; Psalms 69:17 ; Psalms 86:2 , Psalms 86:4 , Psalms 86:16 ; Psalms 116:16 , etc.).