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. Hear my prayer, Yahweh; listen to my pleas. Because of your faithfulness and righteousness, answer me!
2 And do not enter into judgment with your servant. For all the living will not be justified in your sight.
Do not enter into judgment with your servant, for in your sight no one is righteous.
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.
The enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed me to the ground; he has made me to live in darkness like those who have been dead a long time.
4 And my spirit has been in anguish over me. My heart within me has been disturbed.
My spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart despairs.
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 call to mind the old days; I meditate on all your deeds; I reflect on your accomplishments.
6 I have extended my hands to you. My soul is like a land without water before you.
I spread my hands out to you; my soul thirsts for you in a parched 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.
Answer me quickly, Yahweh, because my spirit faints. Do not hide your face from me, or I will become like those who 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.
Let me hear your covenant faithfulness in the morning, for I trust in you. Show me the way where I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you.
9 O Lord, rescue me from my enemies. I have fled to you.
Rescue me from my enemies, Yahweh; I flee to you to hide.
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. May your good Spirit lead me in 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.
Yahweh, for your name's sake, keep me alive; in your 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.
In your covenant faithfulness cut off my enemies and destroy all the enemies of my life, for I am your servant.
