Psalms 143
1 Hear my prayer, O Yhwh, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
A Psalm. Of David. Let my prayer come to you, O Lord; give ear to my requests for your grace; keep faith with me, and give me an answer in your righteousness;
2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
Let not your servant come before you to be judged; for no man living is upright in your eyes.
3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.
The evil man has gone after my soul; my life is crushed down to the earth: he has put me in the dark, like those who have long been dead.
4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
Because of this my spirit is overcome; and my heart is full of fear.
5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
I keep in mind the early days of the past, giving thought to all your acts, even to the work of your hands.
6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. (Selah)
My hands are stretched out to you: my soul is turned to you, like a land in need of water. (Selah)
7 Hear me speedily, O Yhwh: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
Be quick in answering me, O Lord, for the strength of my spirit is gone: let me see your face, so that I may not be like those who go down into the underworld.
8 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.
Let the story of your mercy come to me in the morning, for my hope is in you: give me knowledge of the way in which I am to go; for my soul is lifted up to you.
9 Deliver me, O Yhwh, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
O Lord, take me out of the hands of my haters; my soul is waiting for you.
10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
Give me teaching so that I may do your pleasure; for you are my God: let your good Spirit be my guide into the land of righteousness.
11 Quicken me, O Yhwh, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
Give me life, O Lord, because of your name; in your righteousness take my soul out of trouble.
12 And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.
And in your mercy put an end to my haters, and send destruction on all those who are against my soul; for I am your servant.
