Psalms 143
1 A Psalm of David, when his son pursued him. O Lord, attend to my prayer: listen to my supplication in your truth; hear me in your righteousness.
A Psalm of David, when his son Absalom was pursuing him. O Lord, hear my prayer. Incline your ear to my supplication in your truth. Heed me according to your justice.
2 And enter not into judgment with your servant, for in your sight shall no [man] living be justified.
And do not enter into judgment with your servant. For all the living will not be justified in your sight.
3 For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has brought my life down to the ground; he has made me to dwell in a dark [place], as those that have been long dead.
For the enemy has pursued my soul. He has lowered my life to the earth. He has stationed me in darkness, like the dead of ages past.
4 Therefore my spirit was grieved in me; my heart was troubled within me.
And my spirit has been in anguish over me. My heart within me has been disturbed.
5 I remembered the days of old; and I meditated on all your doings: [yes], I meditated on the works of your hands.
I have called to mind the days of antiquity. I have been meditating on all your works. I have meditated on the workings of your hands.
6 I spread forth my hands to you; my soul [thirsts] for you, as a dry land. (Pause)
I have extended my hands to you. My soul is like a land without water before you.
7 Hear me speedily, O Lord; my spirit has failed; turn not away your face from me, else I shall be like to them that go down to the pit.
O Lord, heed me quickly. My spirit has grown faint. Do not turn your face away from me, lest I become like those who descend into the pit.
8 Cause me to hear your mercy in the morning; for I have hoped in you; make known to me, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk; for I have lifted up my soul to you.
Make me hear your mercy in the morning. For I have hoped in you. Make known to me the way that I should walk. For I have lifted up my soul to you.
9 Deliver me from mine enemies, O Lord; for I have fled to you for refuge.
O Lord, rescue me from my enemies. I have fled to you.
10 Teach me to do your will; for you are my God; your good Spirit shall guide me in the straight [way].
Teach me to do your will. For you are my God. Your good Spirit will lead me into the righteous land.
11 You shall quicken me, O Lord, for your name's sake; in your righteousness you shall bring my soul out of affliction.
For the sake of your name, O Lord, you will revive me in your fairness. You will lead my soul out of tribulation.
12 And in your mercy you will destroy mine enemies, and will destroy all those that afflict my soul; for I am your servant.
And you will scatter my enemies in your mercy. And you will destroy all those who afflict my soul. For I am your servant.
