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. Of David. Let my prayer come to you, O Lord; give ear to my requests for your grace; keep faith with me, and give me an answer in your righteousness;
2 Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous before You.
Let not your servant come before you to be judged; for no man living is upright in your eyes.
3 For the enemy has pursued my soul, crushing my life to the ground, making me dwell in darkness like those long since dead.
The evil man has gone after my soul; my life is crushed down to the earth: he has put me in the dark, like those who have long been dead.
4 My spirit grows faint within me; my heart is dismayed inside me.
Because of this my spirit is overcome; and my heart is full of fear.
5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I consider the work of Your hands.
I keep in mind the early days of the past, giving thought to all your acts, even to the work of your hands.
6 I stretch out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land.
My hands are stretched out to you: my soul is turned to you, like a land in need of water. (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.
Be quick in answering me, O Lord, for the strength of my spirit is gone: let me see your face, so that I may not be like those who go down into the underworld.
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.
Let the story of your mercy come to me in the morning, for my hope is in you: give me knowledge of the way in which I am to go; for my soul is lifted up to you.
9 Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD; I flee to You for refuge.
O Lord, take me out of the hands of my haters; my soul is waiting for you.
10 Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Give me teaching so that I may do your pleasure; for you are my God: let your good Spirit be my guide into the land of righteousness.
11 For the sake of Your name, O LORD, revive me. In Your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble.
Give me life, O Lord, because of your name; in your righteousness take 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.
And in your mercy put an end to my haters, and send destruction on all those who are against my soul; for I am your servant.
