Psalms 143
1 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.
A Psalm of David. O LORD, hear my prayer. In Your faithfulness, give ear to my plea; in Your righteousness, answer me.
2 And enter not into judgement with your servant, for in your sight shall no [man] living be justified.
Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous before You.
3 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.
For the enemy has pursued my soul, crushing my life to the ground, making me dwell in darkness like those long since dead.
4 Therefore my spirit was grieved in me; my heart was troubled within me.
My spirit grows faint within me; my heart is dismayed inside me.
5 I remembered the days of old; and I meditated on all your doings: [yes], I meditated on the works of your hands.
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I consider the work of Your hands.
6 I spread forth my hands to you; my soul [thirsts] for you, as a dry land. (Pause)
I stretch out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land.
7 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.
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.
8 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.
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.
9 Deliver me from mine enemies, O Lord; for I have fled to you for refuge.
Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD; I flee to You for refuge.
10 Teach me to do your will; for you are my God; your good Spirit shall guide me in the straight [way].
Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
11 You shall quicken me, O Lord, for your name's sake; in your righteousness you shall bring my soul out of affliction.
For the sake of Your name, O LORD, revive me. In Your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble.
12 And in your mercy you will destroy mine enemies, and will destroy all those that afflict my soul; for I am your servant.
And in Your loving devotion, cut off my enemies. Destroy all who afflict me, for I am Your servant.
