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. Lord, please hear my prayer. Because you are faithful, please listen to my appeal for mercy. Answer me because you do what is right!
2 Let not your servant come before you to be judged; for no man living is upright in your eyes.
Please don't place me, your servant, on trial, because nobody is innocent 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.
The enemy has chased me down. He crushes me to the ground. He makes me live in darkness like those who died a long time ago.
4 Because of this my spirit is overcome; and my heart is full of fear.
I sense myself fading away inside; I am overwhelmed by a sense of desolation.
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 think of days long ago, and as I meditate I talk to myself about all you have done, I reflect on what you have accomplished.
6 My hands are stretched out to you: my soul is turned to you, like a land in need of water. (Selah)
I stretch out my hands to you, thirsting for you like dried-out land. (Selah)
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.
Please answer me quickly, Lord! I'm dying! Don't turn away otherwise I'll be just like those who are going down into the grave.
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.
Tell me every morning about your trustworthy love, because I put my confidence in you. Show me the way I should go, because I dedicate myself to you.
9 O Lord, take me out of the hands of my haters; my soul is waiting for you.
Save me from those who hate me, Lord—I run to you for protection.
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 your will for you are my God. May your spirit of goodness lead me and make my way smooth.
11 Give me life, O Lord, because of your name; in your righteousness take my soul out of trouble.
Because of the kind of person you are, let me go on living. Because you always do what's right, get me out of the trouble I'm in.
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.
In your trustworthy love, get rid of those who hate me, destroy all my enemies, for I am your servant.
