< 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.” 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 one is righteous.
And enter not into judgment with thy servant; for no living man can be regarded righteous before thee.
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 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 My spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart despairs.
And my spirit within me is overwhelmed: in my bosom is my heart astounded.
5 I call to mind the old days; I meditate on all your deeds; I reflect on your accomplishments.
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 my hands out to you; my soul thirsts for you in a parched land. (Selah)
I spread forth my hands unto thee: my soul [longeth] for thee, as a thirsty land. (Selah)
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.
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 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 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 Rescue me from my enemies, Yahweh; I flee to you to hide.
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. May your good Spirit 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 Yahweh, for your name's sake, keep me alive; 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 covenant faithfulness cut off my enemies and destroy all the enemies of my life, 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.