Psalms 143
1 A psalm of David. Hear my prayer, Yahweh; listen to my pleas. Because of your faithfulness and righteousness, answer me!
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.
2 Do not enter into judgment with your servant, for in your sight no one is righteous.
And enter not into judgment with your servant, for in your sight shall no [man] living be justified.
3 The enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed me to the ground; he has made me to live in darkness like those who have been dead a long time.
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.
4 My spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart despairs.
Therefore my spirit was grieved in me; my heart was troubled within me.
5 I call to mind the old days; I meditate on all your deeds; I reflect on your accomplishments.
I remembered the days of old; and I meditated on all your doings: [yes], I meditated on the works of your hands.
6 I spread my hands out to you; my soul thirsts for you in a parched land. (Selah)
I spread forth my hands to you; my soul [thirsts] for you, as a dry land. (Pause)
7 Answer me quickly, Yahweh, because my spirit faints. Do not hide your face from me, or I will become like those who go down into the pit.
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.
8 Let me hear your covenant faithfulness in the morning, for I trust in you. Show me the way where I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you.
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.
9 Rescue me from my enemies, Yahweh; I flee to you to hide.
Deliver me from mine enemies, O Lord; for I have fled to you for refuge.
10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your good Spirit lead me in the land of uprightness.
Teach me to do your will; for you are my God; your good Spirit shall guide me in the straight [way].
11 Yahweh, for your name's sake, keep me alive; in your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.
You shall quicken me, O Lord, for your name's sake; in your righteousness you shall bring my soul out of affliction.
12 In your covenant faithfulness cut off my enemies and destroy all the enemies of my life, for I am your servant.
And in your mercy you will destroy mine enemies, and will destroy all those that afflict my soul; for I am your servant.
