< 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. Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, [and] in thy righteousness.
2 I am one who serves you; do not judge me, because you know that everyone has done things that are wrong).
And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
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 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.
4 So I am very discouraged; I am very dismayed/worried.
Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
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 thy works; I muse on the work of thy 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 forth my hands to thee: my soul [thirsteth] after thee, as a thirsty land. (Selah)
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.
Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like them that go down into 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.
Cause me to hear thy loving-kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way in which I should walk; for I lift up my soul to thee.
9 Yahweh, I have gone/run to you to be protected, [so] rescue me from my enemies.
Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies: I flee to thee to hide me.
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 thy will; for thou [art] my God: thy spirit [is] good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
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!
Revive me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake 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 of thy mercy cut off my enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I [am] thy servant.