< Psalms 143 >
1 [A Psalm by David.] Hear my prayer, YHWH. Listen to my petitions. In your faithfulness and righteousness, relieve me.
“A psalm of David.” O Lord, hear my prayer, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, in thy righteousness.
2 Do not enter into judgment with your servant, for in your sight no man living is righteous.
And enter not into judgment with thy servant; for no living man can be regarded righteous before thee.
3 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.
For the enemy hath pursued my soul; he hath crushed to the ground my life; he hath made me dwell in darkness, as those that are dead eternally.
4 Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me. My heart within me is desolate.
And my spirit within me is overwhelmed: in my bosom is my heart astounded.
5 I remember the days of old. I meditate on all your doings. I contemplate the work of your hands.
I remember the days of olden times: I meditate on all thy doings: on the work of thy hands do I reflect.
6 I spread forth my hands to you. My soul thirsts for you, like a parched land. (Selah)
I spread forth my hands unto thee: my soul [longeth] for thee, as a thirsty land. (Selah)
7 Hurry to answer me, YHWH. My spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me, so that I do not become like those who go down into the pit.
Hasten, answer me, O Lord, my spirit falleth: hide not thy face from me, that I may not become like those that go down into the pit.
8 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.
Cause me to hear in the morning thy kindness; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way whereon I should walk; for unto thee do I lift up my soul.
9 Deliver me, YHWH, from my enemies. I run to you for refuge.
Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies: by thee do I seek shelter.
10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.
Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; guide me on a level land.
11 Revive me, YHWH, for your name's sake. In your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble.
For thy sake, O Lord, revive me: in thy righteousness bring forth out of distress my soul.
12 In your loving kindness, cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul, For I am your servant.
And in thy kindness destroy my enemies, and annihilate all the adversaries of my soul; far I am thy servant.