< Psalms 143 >

1 A Psalm by David. Hear my prayer, LORD. Listen to my petitions. In your faithfulness and righteousness, relieve me.
Hear, O Lord, my prayer: give ear to my supplication in thy truth: hear me in thy justice.
2 Do not enter into judgment with your servant, for in your sight no man living is righteous.
And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight no man living shall be justified.
3 For the enemy pursues my soul. He has struck my life down to the ground. He has made me live in dark places, as those who have been long dead.
For the enemy hath persecuted my soul: he hath brought down my life to the earth. He hath made me to dwell in darkness as those that have been dead of old:
4 Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me. My heart within me is desolate.
And my spirit is in anguish within me: my heart within me is troubled.
5 I remember the days of old. I meditate on all your doings. I contemplate the work of your hands.
I remembered the days of old, I meditated on all thy works: I meditated upon the works of thy hands.
6 I spread out my hands to you. My soul thirsts for you, like a parched land. (Selah)
I stretched forth my hands to thee: my soul is as earth without water unto thee.
7 Hurry to answer me, LORD. My spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me, so that I do not become like those who go down into the pit.
Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit hath fainted away. Turn not away thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
8 Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning, for I trust in you. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you.
Cause me to hear thy mercy in the morning; for in thee have I hoped. Make the way known to me, wherein I should walk: for I have lifted up my soul to thee.
9 Deliver me, LORD, from my enemies. I flee to you to hide me.
Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, to thee have I fled:
10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.
Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God. Thy good spirit shall lead me into the right land:
11 Revive me, LORD, for your name’s sake. In your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble.
For thy name’s sake, O Lord, thou wilt quicken me in thy justice. Thou wilt bring my soul out of trouble:
12 In your loving kindness, cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul, for I am your servant.
And in thy mercy thou wilt destroy my enemies. And thou wilt cut off all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.

< Psalms 143 >