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. O YHWH, hear my prayer, Give ear to my supplications, Answer me in Your faithfulness—in Your righteousness.
2 Please don't place me, your servant, on trial, because nobody is innocent in your sight.
And do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For no one living is justified before You.
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 an enemy has pursued my soul, He has bruised my life to the earth, He has caused me to dwell in dark places, As the dead of old.
4 I sense myself fading away inside; I am overwhelmed by a sense of desolation.
And my spirit has become feeble in me, My heart has become desolate 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 have remembered days of old, I have meditated on all Your acts, I muse on the work of Your hand.
6 I stretch out my hands to you, thirsting for you like dried-out land. (Selah)
I have spread forth my hands to You, My soul [is] as a weary land for You. (Selah)
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.
Hurry, answer me, O YHWH, My spirit has been consumed, Do not hide Your face from me, Or I have been compared with those going 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 Your kindness in the morning, For I have trusted in You, Cause me to know the way that I go, For I have lifted up my soul to You.
9 Save me from those who hate me, Lord—I run to you for protection.
Deliver me from my enemies, O YHWH, Near You I am covered.
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 Your good pleasure, For You [are] my God—Your Spirit [is] good, Lead me into a land of uprightness.
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.
You quicken me for Your Name’s sake, O YHWH, In Your righteousness, You bring out my soul from distress,
12 In your trustworthy love, get rid of those who hate me, destroy all my enemies, for I am your servant.
And in Your kindness cut off my enemies, And have destroyed all the adversaries of my soul, For I [am] Your servant!
