Psalms 141:8 - John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Bible Comments

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; 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" g, and defenceless, but let it be surrounded or protected by almighty power and grace; or "pour not out my soul" h, 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" i it, as Aben Ezra; that is, out of his body; for he observes, that the soul fills the body.

g אל תער "ne nudes", Junius Tremellius so Piscator. h "Ne effandas", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Musculus. i "Ne evacues", Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis.

Psalms 141:8

8 But mine eyes are unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust; leaveb not my soul destitute.