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. Listen, O Lord, to my prayer; attend to my plea. In your faithfulness give me answer, and in your righteousness.
2 And enter not into judgement with your servant, for in your sight shall no [man] living be justified.
With your servant O enter you not into judgment, for in your sight can no one alive be justified.
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 persecutes me, crushing my life to the ground, making me live in the darkness, as those who have long been dead.
4 Therefore my spirit was grieved in me; my heart was troubled within me.
My spirit is faint within me, my heart is bewildered within 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, and brood over all you have done, musing on all that your hands have wrought.
6 I spread forth my hands to you; my soul [thirsts] for you, as a dry land. (Pause)
I spread out my hands to you: I thirst for you, like parched earth. (Selah)
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 soon, Lord, because my spirit is spent. Hide not your face from me, else become I like those who go down 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 learn of your love in the morning, for my trust is in you. Teach me the way I should go: for my heart longs for you.
9 Deliver me from mine enemies, O Lord; for I have fled to you for refuge.
Save me, O Lord, from my foes: for to you I have fled 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 yourself are my God. Guide me by your good spirit, O Lord, on a way that is smooth.
11 You shall quicken me, O Lord, for your name's sake; in your righteousness you shall bring my soul out of affliction.
Be true to your name Lord, spare me, bring me out of distress in your faithfulness.
12 And in your mercy you will destroy mine enemies, and will destroy all those that afflict my soul; for I am your servant.
In your kindness extinguish my enemies, and all those who vex me destroy; for I am your servant.
