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 my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in your faithfulness answer me, and in your 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 your servant: for in your sight shall no man living 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 has persecuted my soul; he has smitten my life down to the ground; he has made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.
4 And my spirit has been in anguish over me. My heart within me has been disturbed.
Therefore is my spirit 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 your works; I muse on the work of your hands.
6 I have extended my hands to you. My soul is like a land without water before you.
I stretch forth my hands to you: my soul thirsts after you, as a thirsty land. (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.
Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit fails: hide not your face from me, lest I be like to 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 your loving kindness in the morning; for in you do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul to you.
9 O Lord, rescue me from my enemies. I have fled to you.
Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies: I flee to you to hide me.
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 your will; for you are my God: your spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
11 For the sake of your name, O Lord, you will revive me in your fairness. You will lead my soul out of tribulation.
Quicken me, O LORD, for your name’s sake: for your righteousness’ sake 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 of your mercy cut off my enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am your servant.
