Psalms 143
1 A Psalm. Of David. Let my prayer come to you, O Lord; give ear to my requests for your grace; keep faith with me, and give me an answer in your righteousness;
Hear my prayer, O Yhwh, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
2 Let not your servant come before you to be judged; for no man living is upright in your eyes.
And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
3 The evil man has gone after my soul; my life is crushed down to the earth: he has put me in the dark, like those who have long been dead.
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 Because of this my spirit is overcome; and my heart is full of fear.
Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
5 I keep in mind the early days of the past, giving thought to all your acts, even to the work of your hands.
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
6 My hands are stretched out to you: my soul is turned to you, like a land in need of water. (Selah)
I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. (Selah)
7 Be quick in answering me, O Lord, for the strength of my spirit is gone: let me see your face, so that I may not be like those who go down into the underworld.
Hear me speedily, O Yhwh: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
8 Let the story of your mercy come to me in the morning, for my hope is in you: give me knowledge of the way in which I am to go; for my soul is lifted up to you.
Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
9 O Lord, take me out of the hands of my haters; my soul is waiting for you.
Deliver me, O Yhwh, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
10 Give me teaching so that I may do your pleasure; for you are my God: let your good Spirit be my guide into the land of righteousness.
Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
11 Give me life, O Lord, because of your name; in your righteousness take my soul out of trouble.
Quicken me, O Yhwh, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
12 And in your mercy put an end to my haters, and send destruction on all those who are against my soul; for I am your servant.
And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.
