Psalms 143
1 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.
Hear my prayer, O Jehovah. Give ear to my supplications. In thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
2 And enter not into judgment with your servant, for in your sight shall no [man] living be justified.
And enter not into judgment with thy servant. For in thy sight no man living is righteous.
3 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.
For the enemy has persecuted my soul. He has smitten my life down to the ground. He has made me to dwell in dark places as those who have been long dead.
4 Therefore my spirit was grieved in me; my heart was troubled within me.
Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me. My heart within me is desolate.
5 I remembered the days of old; and I meditated on all your doings: [yes], I meditated on the works of your hands.
I remember the days of old. I meditate on all thy doings. I muse on the work of thy hands.
6 I spread forth my hands to you; my soul [thirsts] for you, as a dry land. (Pause)
I spread forth my hands to thee. My soul is as a weary land for thee. (Selah)
7 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.
Make haste to answer me, O Jehovah, my spirit fails. Hide not thy face from me, lest I become like those who go down into the pit.
8 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.
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 Deliver me from mine enemies, O Lord; for I have fled to you for refuge.
Deliver me, O Jehovah, from my enemies. I flee to thee to hide me.
10 Teach me to do your will; for you are my God; your good Spirit shall guide me in the straight [way].
Teach me to do thy will, for thou are my God. Thy Spirit is good, lead me in the land of uprightness.
11 You shall quicken me, O Lord, for your name's sake; in your righteousness you shall bring my soul out of affliction.
Revive me, O Jehovah, for thy name's sake. In thy righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.
12 And in your mercy you will destroy mine enemies, and will destroy all those that afflict my soul; for I am your servant.
And in thy loving kindness cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul, for I am thy servant.
