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.” Hear my prayer, O LORD! give ear to my supplications! In thy faithfulness, and in thy righteousness, answer me!
2 Let not your servant come before you to be judged; for no man living is upright in your eyes.
Enter not into judgment with thy servant; For before thee no man living is righteous.
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 pursueth my life; He hath smitten me to the ground; He hath made me dwell in darkness, As those that have been dead of old.
4 Because of this my spirit is overcome; and my heart is full of fear.
My spirit is overwhelmed within me; My heart within me is desolate.
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 remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the deeds of thy hands.
6 My hands are stretched out to you: my soul is turned to you, like a land in need of water. (Selah)
I stretch forth my hands unto thee; My soul thirsteth for thee, like a parched land.
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.
Hear me speedily, O LORD! My spirit faileth; Hide not thy face from me. Lest I become like those who go down to 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.
Cause me so see thy loving-kindness speedily; For in thee do I trust! Make known to me the way which I should take; For to thee do I lift up my soul!
9 O Lord, take me out of the hands of my haters; my soul is waiting for you.
Deliver me, O LORD! from mine enemies; For in thee do I seek refuge!
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 thy will; For thou art my God! Let thy good spirit lead me in a plain path!
11 Give me life, O Lord, because of your name; in your righteousness take my soul out of trouble.
Revive me, O LORD! for thy name's sake! In thy righteousness, bring me out of my distress!
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, in thy compassion, cut off mine enemies, And destroy all that distress me! For I am thy servant.
