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.

Psalm 143

A psalm of David.

1 O Lord, hear my prayer!
Pay attention to my plea for help!
Because of your faithfulness and justice, answer me!

2 Do not sit in judgment on your servant,
for no one alive is innocent before you.

3 Certainly my enemies chase me.
They smash me into the ground.
They force me to live in dark regions,
like those who have been dead for ages.

4 My strength leaves me;
I am absolutely shocked.

5 I recall the old days;
I meditate on all you have done;
I reflect on your accomplishments.

6 I spread my hands out to you in prayer;
my soul thirsts for you in a parched land.

7 Answer me quickly, Lord!
My strength is fading.
Do not reject me,
or I will join those descending into the grave.

8 May I hear about your loyal love in the morning,
for I trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
because I long for you.

9 Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord!
I run to you for protection.

10 Teach me to do what pleases you,
for you are my God.
May your kind presence
lead me into a level land.

11 O Lord, for the sake of your reputation, revive me!
Because of your justice, rescue me from trouble!

12 As a demonstration of your loyal love, destroy my enemies!
Annihilate all who threaten my life,
for I am your servant.