Psalms 143
1 Yahweh, hear me while I pray to you! Because you are righteous and because you faithfully do what you have promised, listen to what I am pleading that you [do for me].
A psalm of David. Lord, please hear my prayer. Because you are faithful, please listen to my appeal for mercy. Answer me because you do what is right!
2 I am one who serves you; do not judge me, because you know that everyone has done things that are wrong).
Please don't place me, your servant, on trial, because nobody is innocent in your sight.
3 [My] enemies have pursued me; they have completely defeated me. [It is as though] they have put me in a dark [prison], where I [have nothing good to] ([hope for/expect]), like those who died long ago [SIM].
The enemy has chased me down. He crushes me to the ground. He makes me live in darkness like those who died a long time ago.
4 So I am very discouraged; I am very dismayed/worried.
I sense myself fading away inside; I am overwhelmed by a sense of desolation.
5 I remember what has happened previously: I (meditate on/think about) all the things that you have done; I consider [all] the [great] deeds that you [SYN] have performed.
I think of days long ago, and as I meditate I talk to myself about all you have done, I reflect on what you have accomplished.
6 I lift up my hands/arms to you while I pray; I [SYN] need you, like very dry ground [needs rain] [SIM].
I stretch out my hands to you, thirsting for you like dried-out land. (Selah)
7 Yahweh, I am very discouraged, [so] please answer me right now! Do not hide from me, because if you do that, I will [soon] be [SIM] among those who descend to where the dead people are.
Please answer me quickly, Lord! I'm dying! Don't turn away otherwise I'll be just like those who are going down into the grave.
8 [Every] morning cause me to remember that you faithfully love [me], because I trust in you. I (pray/send my prayers up [IDM]) to you; show me what I should do.
Tell me every morning about your trustworthy love, because I put my confidence in you. Show me the way I should go, because I dedicate myself to you.
9 Yahweh, I have gone/run to you to be protected, [so] rescue me from my enemies.
Save me from those who hate me, Lord—I run to you for protection.
10 You are my God; teach me to do what you want me to do. I want your good Spirit to lead me on a path that is not difficult to walk on.
Teach me your will for you are my God. May your spirit of goodness lead me and make my way smooth.
11 Yahweh, restore me when I am close to dying, as you promised to do. Because you are righteous/good, rescue me from my troubles/difficulties!
Because of the kind of person you are, let me go on living. Because you always do what's right, get me out of the trouble I'm in.
12 I am one who serves you; so because you faithfully love [me], kill my enemies and get rid of all those who (oppress/cause trouble for) me.
In your trustworthy love, get rid of those who hate me, destroy all my enemies, for I am your servant.
