< Psalms 143 >

1 A psalm of David. Listen, O Lord, to my prayer; attend to my plea. In your faithfulness give me answer, and in your righteousness.
Hear my prayer, O YHWH, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
2 With your servant O enter you not into judgment, for in your sight can no one alive be justified.
And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
3 For the enemy persecutes me, crushing my life to the ground, making me live in the darkness, as 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 My spirit is faint within me, my heart is bewildered within me.
Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
5 I remember the days of old, and brood over all you have done, musing on all that your hands have wrought.
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
6 I spread out my hands to you: I thirst for you, like parched earth. (Selah)
I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. (Selah)
7 Answer me soon, Lord, because my spirit is spent. Hide not your face from me, else become I like those who go down to the pit.
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 me learn of your love in the morning, for my trust is in you. Teach me the way I should go: for my heart longs for 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 Save me, O Lord, from my foes: for to you I have fled for refuge.
Deliver me, O YHWH, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
10 Teach me to do your will, for you yourself are my God. Guide me by your good spirit, O Lord, on a way that is smooth.
Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my Elohim: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
11 Be true to your name Lord, spare me, bring me out of distress in your faithfulness.
Quicken me, O YHWH, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.
12 In your kindness extinguish my enemies, and all those who vex me destroy; 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.

< Psalms 143 >