Psalms 143
1 Hear, O Lord, my prayer: give ear to my supplication in thy truth: hear me in thy justice.
A Psalm. Of David. Let my prayer come to you, O Lord; give ear to my requests for your grace; keep faith with me, and give me an answer in your righteousness;
2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight no man living shall be justified.
Let not your servant come before you to be judged; for no man living is upright in your eyes.
3 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:
The evil man has gone after my soul; my life is crushed down to the earth: he has put me in the dark, like those who have long been dead.
4 And my spirit is in anguish within me: my heart within me is troubled.
Because of this my spirit is overcome; and my heart is full of fear.
5 I remembered the days of old, I meditated on all thy works: I meditated upon the works of thy hands.
I keep in mind the early days of the past, giving thought to all your acts, even to the work of your hands.
6 I stretched forth my hands to thee: my soul is as earth without water unto thee.
My hands are stretched out to you: my soul is turned to you, like a land in need of water. (Selah)
7 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.
Be quick in answering me, O Lord, for the strength of my spirit is gone: let me see your face, so that I may not be like those who go down into the underworld.
8 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.
Let the story of your mercy come to me in the morning, for my hope is in you: give me knowledge of the way in which I am to go; for my soul is lifted up to you.
9 Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, to thee have I fled:
O Lord, take me out of the hands of my haters; my soul is waiting for you.
10 Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God. Thy good spirit shall lead me into the right land:
Give me teaching so that I may do your pleasure; for you are my God: let your good Spirit be my guide into the land of righteousness.
11 For thy name’s sake, O Lord, thou wilt quicken me in thy justice. Thou wilt bring my soul out of trouble:
Give me life, O Lord, because of your name; in your righteousness take my soul out of trouble.
12 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.
And in your mercy put an end to my haters, and send destruction on all those who are against my soul; for I am your servant.
