Psalms 143
1 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;
A Psalm of David, when his son Absalom was pursuing him. O Lord, hear my prayer. Incline your ear to my supplication in your truth. Heed me according to your justice.
2 Let not your servant come before you to be judged; for no man living is upright in your eyes.
And do not enter into judgment with your servant. For all the living will not be justified in your sight.
3 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.
For the enemy has pursued my soul. He has lowered my life to the earth. He has stationed me in darkness, like the dead of ages past.
4 Because of this my spirit is overcome; and my heart is full of fear.
And my spirit has been in anguish over me. My heart within me has been disturbed.
5 I keep in mind the early days of the past, giving thought to all your acts, even to the work of your hands.
I have called to mind the days of antiquity. I have been meditating on all your works. I have meditated on the workings of your hands.
6 My hands are stretched out to you: my soul is turned to you, like a land in need of water. (Selah)
I have extended my hands to you. My soul is like a land without water before you.
7 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.
O Lord, heed me quickly. My spirit has grown faint. Do not turn your face away from me, lest I become like those who descend into the pit.
8 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.
Make me hear your mercy in the morning. For I have hoped in you. Make known to me the way that I should walk. For I have lifted up my soul to you.
9 O Lord, take me out of the hands of my haters; my soul is waiting for you.
O Lord, rescue me from my enemies. I have fled to you.
10 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.
Teach me to do your will. For you are my God. Your good Spirit will lead me into the righteous land.
11 Give me life, O Lord, because of your name; in your righteousness take my soul out of trouble.
For the sake of your name, O Lord, you will revive me in your fairness. You will lead my soul out of tribulation.
12 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.
And you will scatter my enemies in your mercy. And you will destroy all those who afflict my soul. For I am your servant.
