Psalms 143
1 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.
A Psalm of David. Jehovah, hear my prayer; give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, in thy righteousness.
2 And do not enter into judgment with your servant. For all the living will not be justified in your sight.
And enter not into judgment with thy servant; for in thy sight no man living shall be justified.
3 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.
For the enemy persecuteth my soul: he hath crushed my life down to the earth; he hath made me to dwell in dark places, as those that have been long dead.
4 And my spirit has been in anguish over me. My heart within me has been disturbed.
And my spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
5 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.
I remember the days of old: I meditate on all thy doing; I muse on the work of thy hands.
6 I have extended my hands to you. My soul is like a land without water before you.
I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul, as a parched land, [thirsteth] after thee. (Selah)
7 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.
Answer me speedily, O Jehovah; my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, or I shall be like unto them that go down into the pit.
8 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.
Cause me to hear thy loving-kindness in the morning, for in thee do I confide; make me to know the way wherein I should walk, for unto thee do I lift up my soul.
9 O Lord, rescue me from my enemies. I have fled to you.
Deliver me, O Jehovah, from mine enemies: unto thee do I flee for refuge.
10 Teach me to do your will. For you are my God. Your good Spirit will lead me into the righteous land.
Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: let thy good Spirit lead me in a plain country.
11 For the sake of your name, O Lord, you will revive me in your fairness. You will lead my soul out of tribulation.
Revive me, O Jehovah, for thy name's sake; in thy righteousness bring my soul out of trouble;
12 And you will scatter my enemies in your mercy. And you will destroy all those who afflict my soul. For I am your servant.
And in thy loving-kindness cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that oppress my soul: for I am thy servant.
