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 by David. Hear my prayer, LORD. Listen to my petitions. In your faithfulness and righteousness, relieve me.
2 And enter not into judgment with your servant, for in your sight shall no [man] living be justified.
Don’t enter into judgment with your servant, for in your sight no man living is righteous.
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 pursues my soul. He has struck my life down to the ground. He has made me live in dark places, as those who have been long dead.
4 Therefore my spirit was grieved in me; my heart was troubled within me.
Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me. My heart within me is desolate.
5 I remembered the days of old; and I meditated on all your doings: [yes], I meditated on the works of your hands.
I remember the days of old. I meditate on all your doings. I contemplate the work of your hands.
6 I spread forth my hands to you; my soul [thirsts] for you, as a dry land. (Pause)
I spread out my hands to you. My soul thirsts for you, like a parched land. (Selah)
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.
Hurry to answer me, LORD. My spirit fails. Don’t hide your face from me, so that I don’t become like those who go down 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.
Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning, for I trust in you. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you.
9 Deliver me from mine enemies, O Lord; for I have fled to you for refuge.
Deliver me, LORD, from my enemies. I flee to you to hide me.
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 Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.
11 You shall quicken me, O Lord, for your name's sake; in your righteousness you shall bring my soul out of affliction.
Revive me, LORD, for your name’s sake. In your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble.
12 And in your mercy you will destroy mine enemies, and will destroy all those that afflict my soul; for I am your servant.
In your loving kindness, cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul, for I am your servant.
