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.
Hear, O Lord, my prayer: give ear to my supplication in thy truth: hear me in thy justice.
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 hath persecuted my soul: he hath brought down my life to the earth. He hath made me to dwell in darkness as those that have been dead of old:
4 And my spirit has been in anguish over me. My heart within me has been disturbed.
And my spirit is in anguish within me: my heart within me is troubled.
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 remembered the days of old, I meditated on all thy works: I meditated upon the works of thy hands.
6 I have extended my hands to you. My soul is like a land without water before you.
I stretched forth my hands to thee: my soul is as earth without water unto thee.
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.
Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit hath fainted away. Turn not away thy face from me, lest I 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 mercy in the morning; for in thee have I hoped. Make the way known to me, wherein I should walk: for I have lifted up my soul to thee.
9 O Lord, rescue me from my enemies. I have fled to you.
Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, to thee have I fled:
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. Thy good spirit shall lead me into the right land:
11 For the sake of your name, O Lord, you will revive me in your fairness. You will lead my soul out of tribulation.
For thy name’s sake, O Lord, thou wilt quicken me in thy justice. Thou wilt 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 mercy thou wilt destroy my enemies. And thou wilt cut off all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.
