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, Yahweh; listen to my pleas. Because of your faithfulness and righteousness, answer me!
2 Please don't place me, your servant, on trial, because nobody is innocent in your sight.
Do not enter into judgment with your servant, for in your sight no one is righteous.
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.
The enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed me to the ground; he has made me to live in darkness like those who have been dead a long time.
4 I sense myself fading away inside; I am overwhelmed by a sense of desolation.
My spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart despairs.
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 call to mind the old days; I meditate on all your deeds; I reflect on your accomplishments.
6 I stretch out my hands to you, thirsting for you like dried-out land. (Selah)
I spread my hands out to you; my soul thirsts for you in a parched 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.
Answer me quickly, Yahweh, because my spirit faints. Do not hide your face from me, or I will become like those who 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.
Let me hear your covenant faithfulness in the morning, for I trust in you. Show me the way where I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you.
9 Save me from those who hate me, Lord—I run to you for protection.
Rescue me from my enemies, Yahweh; I flee to you to hide.
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 are my God. May your good Spirit 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.
Yahweh, for your name's sake, keep me alive; in your 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.
In your covenant faithfulness cut off my enemies and destroy all the enemies of my life, for I am your servant.
