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.
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;
2 And enter not into judgment with your servant, for in your sight shall no [man] living be justified.
Let not your servant come before you to be judged; for no man living is upright in your eyes.
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.
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.
4 Therefore my spirit was grieved in me; my heart was troubled within me.
Because of this my spirit is overcome; and my heart is full of fear.
5 I remembered the days of old; and I meditated on all your doings: [yes], I meditated on the works of your hands.
I keep in mind the early days of the past, giving thought to all your acts, even to the work of your hands.
6 I spread forth my hands to you; my soul [thirsts] for you, as a dry land. (Pause)
My hands are stretched out to you: my soul is turned to you, like a land in need of water. (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.
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.
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.
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.
9 Deliver me from mine enemies, O Lord; for I have fled to you for refuge.
O Lord, take me out of the hands of my haters; my soul is waiting for you.
10 Teach me to do your will; for you are my God; your good Spirit shall guide me in the straight [way].
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.
11 You shall quicken me, O Lord, for your name's sake; in your righteousness you shall bring my soul out of affliction.
Give me life, O Lord, because of your name; in your righteousness take 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 your mercy put an end to my haters, and send destruction on all those who are against my soul; for I am your servant.
