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!
Hear, O Lord, my prayer: give ear to my supplication in thy truth: hear me in thy justice.
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 no man living shall 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 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 I sense myself fading away inside; I am overwhelmed by a sense of desolation.
And my spirit is in anguish within me: my heart within me is troubled.
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, I meditated on all thy works: I meditated upon the works of thy hands.
6 I stretch out my hands to you, thirsting for you like dried-out land. (Selah)
I stretched forth my hands to thee: my soul is as earth without water unto thee.
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 hath fainted away. Turn not away thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into 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 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 Save me from those who hate me, Lord—I run to you for protection.
Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, to thee have I fled:
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 lead me into the right land:
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.
For thy name’s sake, O Lord, thou wilt quicken me in thy justice. Thou wilt bring my soul out of trouble:
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 my enemies. And thou wilt cut off all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.
