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, when his son pursued him. O Lord, attend to my prayer: hearken to my supplication in thy truth; hear me in thy righteousness.
2 Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous before You.
And enter not into judgment with thy servant, for in thy sight shall no [man] living be justified.
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 has persecuted my soul; he has brought my life down to the ground; he has made me to dwell in a dark [place], as those that have been long dead.
4 My spirit grows faint within me; my heart is dismayed inside me.
Therefore my spirit was grieved in me; my heart was troubled within me.
5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I consider the work of Your hands.
I remembered the days of old; and I meditated on all thy doings: [yea], I meditated on the works of thine hands.
6 I stretch out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land.
I spread forth my hands to thee; my soul [thirsts] for thee, as a dry land. (Pause)
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.
Hear me speedily, O Lord; my spirit has failed; turn not away thy face from me, else I shall be like to them that go down to 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 thy mercy in the morning; for I have hoped in thee; make known to me, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk; for I have lifted up my soul to thee.
9 Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD; I flee to You for refuge.
Deliver me from mine enemies, O Lord; for I have fled to thee for refuge.
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 thy will; for thou art my God; thy good Spirit shall guide me in the straight [way].
11 For the sake of Your name, O LORD, revive me. In Your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble.
Thou shalt quicken me, O Lord, for thy name's sake; in thy righteousness thou shalt bring my soul out of affliction.
12 And in Your loving devotion, cut off my enemies. Destroy all who afflict me, for I am Your servant.
And in thy mercy thou wilt destroy mine enemies, and wilt destroy all those that afflict my soul; for I am thy servant.
