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: listen to my supplication in your truth; hear me in your righteousness.
2 Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous before You.
And enter not into judgement with your servant, for in your 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 your doings: [yes], I meditated on the works of your hands.
6 I stretch out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land.
I spread forth my hands to you; my soul [thirsts] for you, 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 your 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 your mercy in the morning; for I have hoped in you; make known to me, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk; for I have lifted up my soul to you.
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 you 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 your will; for you are my God; your 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.
You shall quicken me, O Lord, for your name's sake; in your righteousness you shall 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 your mercy you will destroy mine enemies, and will destroy all those that afflict my soul; for I am your servant.
