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. Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, [and] 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 hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground: he hath made me to dwell in dark places, as those that have been long dead.
4 I sense myself fading away inside; I am overwhelmed by a sense of desolation.
Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
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; I meditate on all thy doings: I muse on the work of thy hands.
6 I stretch out my hands to you, thirsting for you like dried-out land. (Selah)
I spread forth my hands unto thee: my soul [thirsteth] after thee, as a weary land. (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.
Make haste to answer me, O LORD; my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me; lest I become like 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 lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
9 Save me from those who hate me, Lord—I run to you for protection.
Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
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 spirit is good; lead me in the 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.
Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name’s sake: in thy righteousness 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 lovingkindness cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul; for I am thy servant.
