Psalm 143

A Prayer for HelpHEBREW TITLE:A psalm by David.

1 LORD, hear my prayer!
In your righteousness listen to my plea;
answer me in your faithfulness!
2 Don't put me, your servant, on trial;
no one is innocent in your sight.
3 My enemies have hunted me down
and completely defeated me.
They have put me in a dark prison,
and I am like those who died long ago.
4 So I am ready to give up;
I am in deep despair.
5 I remember the days gone by;
I think about all that you have done,
I bring to mind all your deeds.
6 I lift up my hands to you in prayer;
like dry ground my soul is thirsty for you.
7 Answer me now, LORD!
I have lost all hope.
Don't hide yourself from me,
or I will be among those who go down to the world of the dead.
8 Remind me each morning of your constant love,
for I put my trust in you.
My prayers go up to you;
show me the way I should go.
9 I go to you for protection, LORD;
rescue me from my enemies.
10 You are my God;
teach me to do your will.
Be good to me, and guide me on a safe path.
11 Rescue me, LORD, as you have promised;
in your goodness save me from my troubles!
12 Because of your love for me, kill my enemies
and destroy all my oppressors,
for I am your servant.

Psalm 143

1 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 thy servant; For in thy sight no man living is righteous.

3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; He hath smitten my life down to the ground: He hath made me to dwell in dark places, as those that have been long dead.

4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; My heart within me is desolate.

5 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 unto thee: My soul thirsteth after thee, as a weary land. Selah

7 Make haste to answer me, O Jehovah; my spirit faileth: Hide not thy face from me, Lest I become like them that go down into the pit.

8 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 Deliver me, O Jehovah, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.

10 Teach me to do thy will; For thou art my God: Thy Spirit is good; Lead me in the land of uprightness.

11 Quicken me, O Jehovah, for thy name’s sake: In thy righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.

12 And in thy lovingkindness cut off mine enemies, And destroy all them that afflict my soul; For I am thy servant.