< Psalms 143 >
1 A Psalm of David. O LORD, hear my prayer. In Your faithfulness, give ear to my plea; in Your righteousness, answer me.
A Psalm by David. Hear my prayer, LORD. Listen to my petitions. In your faithfulness and righteousness, relieve me.
2 Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous before You.
Do not enter into judgment with your servant, for in your sight no man living is righteous.
3 For the enemy has pursued my soul, crushing my life to the ground, making me dwell in darkness like those long since dead.
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.
4 My spirit grows faint within me; my heart is dismayed inside me.
Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me. My heart within me is desolate.
5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I consider the work of Your hands.
I remember the days of old. I meditate on all your doings. I contemplate the work of your hands.
6 I stretch out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land.
I spread out my hands to you. My soul thirsts for you, like a parched land. (Selah)
7 Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide Your face from me, or I will be like those who descend to the Pit.
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.
8 Let me hear Your loving devotion in the morning, for I have put my trust in You. Teach me the way I should walk, for to You I lift up my soul.
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.
9 Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD; I flee to You for refuge.
Deliver me, LORD, from my enemies. I flee to you to hide me.
10 Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.
11 For the sake of Your name, O LORD, revive me. In Your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble.
Revive me, LORD, for your name’s sake. In your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble.
12 And in Your loving devotion, cut off my enemies. Destroy all who afflict me, for I am Your servant.
In your loving kindness, cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul, for I am your servant.