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. Listen, O Lord, to my prayer; attend to my plea. In your faithfulness give me answer, and in your righteousness.
2 Please don't place me, your servant, on trial, because nobody is innocent in your sight.
With your servant O enter you not into judgment, for in your sight can no one alive 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 persecutes me, crushing my life to the ground, making me live in the darkness, as those who have long been dead.
4 I sense myself fading away inside; I am overwhelmed by a sense of desolation.
My spirit is faint within me, my heart is bewildered 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 remember the days of old, and brood over all you have done, musing on all that your hands have wrought.
6 I stretch out my hands to you, thirsting for you like dried-out land. (Selah)
I spread out my hands to you: I thirst for you, like parched earth. (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.
Answer me soon, Lord, because my spirit is spent. Hide not your face from me, else become I like those who 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.
Let me learn of your love in the morning, for my trust is in you. Teach me the way I should go: for my heart longs for you.
9 Save me from those who hate me, Lord—I run to you for protection.
Save me, O Lord, from my foes: for to you I have fled 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 your will, for you yourself are my God. Guide me by your good spirit, O Lord, on a way that is smooth.
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.
Be true to your name Lord, spare me, bring me out of distress in your faithfulness.
12 In your trustworthy love, get rid of those who hate me, destroy all my enemies, for I am your servant.
In your kindness extinguish my enemies, and all those who vex me destroy; for I am your servant.
