Psalms 143
1 A psalm of David. Lord, please hear my prayer. Because you are faithful, please listen to my appeal for mercy. Answer me because you do what is right!
A Psalm of David, when his son pursued him. O Lord, attend to my prayer: hearken to my supplication in thy truth; hear me in thy righteousness.
2 Please don't place me, your servant, on trial, because nobody is innocent in your sight.
And enter not into judgment with thy servant, for in thy sight shall no [man] living be justified.
3 The enemy has chased me down. He crushes me to the ground. He makes me live in darkness like those who died a long time ago.
For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has brought my life down to the ground; he has made me to dwell in a dark [place], as those that have been long dead.
4 I sense myself fading away inside; I am overwhelmed by a sense of desolation.
Therefore my spirit was grieved in me; my heart was troubled within me.
5 I think of days long ago, and as I meditate I talk to myself about all you have done, I reflect on what you have accomplished.
I remembered the days of old; and I meditated on all thy doings: [yea], I meditated on the works of thine hands.
6 I stretch out my hands to you, thirsting for you like dried-out land. (Selah)
I spread forth my hands to thee; my soul [thirsts] for thee, as a dry land. (Pause)
7 Please answer me quickly, Lord! I'm dying! Don't turn away otherwise I'll be just like those who are going down into the grave.
Hear me speedily, O Lord; my spirit has failed; turn not away thy face from me, else I shall be like to them that go down to the pit.
8 Tell me every morning about your trustworthy love, because I put my confidence in you. Show me the way I should go, because I dedicate myself to you.
Cause me to hear thy mercy in the morning; for I have hoped in thee; make known to me, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk; for I have lifted up my soul to thee.
9 Save me from those who hate me, Lord—I run to you for protection.
Deliver me from mine enemies, O Lord; for I have fled to thee for refuge.
10 Teach me your will for you are my God. May your spirit of goodness lead me and make my way smooth.
Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God; thy good Spirit shall guide me in the straight [way].
11 Because of the kind of person you are, let me go on living. Because you always do what's right, get me out of the trouble I'm in.
Thou shalt quicken me, O Lord, for thy name's sake; in thy righteousness thou shalt bring my soul out of affliction.
12 In your trustworthy love, get rid of those who hate me, destroy all my enemies, for I am your servant.
And in thy mercy thou wilt destroy mine enemies, and wilt destroy all those that afflict my soul; for I am thy servant.
