Psalms 143
1 Yahweh, hear me while I pray to you! Because you are righteous and because you faithfully do what you have promised, listen to what I am pleading that you [do for me].
A Psalm of David. O LORD, hear my prayer. In Your faithfulness, give ear to my plea; in Your righteousness, answer me.
2 I am one who serves you; do not judge me, because you know that everyone has done things that are wrong).
Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous before You.
3 [My] enemies have pursued me; they have completely defeated me. [It is as though] they have put me in a dark [prison], where I [have nothing good to] ([hope for/expect]), like those who died long ago [SIM].
For the enemy has pursued my soul, crushing my life to the ground, making me dwell in darkness like those long since dead.
4 So I am very discouraged; I am very dismayed/worried.
My spirit grows faint within me; my heart is dismayed inside me.
5 I remember what has happened previously: I (meditate on/think about) all the things that you have done; I consider [all] the [great] deeds that you [SYN] have performed.
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I consider the work of Your hands.
6 I lift up my hands/arms to you while I pray; I [SYN] need you, like very dry ground [needs rain] [SIM].
I stretch out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land.
7 Yahweh, I am very discouraged, [so] please answer me right now! Do not hide from me, because if you do that, I will [soon] be [SIM] among those who descend to where the dead people are.
Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide Your face from me, or I will be like those who descend to the Pit.
8 [Every] morning cause me to remember that you faithfully love [me], because I trust in you. I (pray/send my prayers up [IDM]) to you; show me what I should do.
Let me hear Your loving devotion in the morning, for I have put my trust in You. Teach me the way I should walk, for to You I lift up my soul.
9 Yahweh, I have gone/run to you to be protected, [so] rescue me from my enemies.
Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD; I flee to You for refuge.
10 You are my God; teach me to do what you want me to do. I want your good Spirit to lead me on a path that is not difficult to walk on.
Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
11 Yahweh, restore me when I am close to dying, as you promised to do. Because you are righteous/good, rescue me from my troubles/difficulties!
For the sake of Your name, O LORD, revive me. In Your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble.
12 I am one who serves you; so because you faithfully love [me], kill my enemies and get rid of all those who (oppress/cause trouble for) me.
And in Your loving devotion, cut off my enemies. Destroy all who afflict me, for I am Your servant.
