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 by David. Hear my prayer, Yahweh. Listen to my petitions. In your faithfulness and righteousness, relieve me.
2 I am one who serves you; do not judge me, because you know that everyone has done things that are wrong).
Don’t enter into judgment with your servant, for in your sight no man living is righteous.
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 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 So I am very discouraged; I am very dismayed/worried.
Therefore my spirit is 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 your doings. I contemplate 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 spread out my hands to you. My soul thirsts for you, like a parched 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.
Hurry to answer me, Yahweh. 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 [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 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 Yahweh, I have gone/run to you to be protected, [so] rescue me from my enemies.
Deliver me, Yahweh, from my enemies. I flee to you 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 your will, for you are my God. Your Spirit is good. Lead me in 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, Yahweh, for your name’s sake. 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.
In your loving kindness, cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul, for I am your servant.
