Psalm 143 – A Prayer for Deliverance
David pleads for God's mercy, guidance, and deliverance from his enemies.
Psalm 143 finds David overwhelmed, his spirit fainting as an enemy presses him into darkness like the long dead. This prayer of desperation follows the plea of Psalms 142 and asks God to answer swiftly, in faithfulness and righteousness.
Hear my prayer, O Jehovah; give ear to my supplications: In thy faithfulness answer me, `and' in thy righteousness.
And enter not into judgment with thy servant; For in thy sight no man living is righteous.
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.
Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; My heart within me is desolate.
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy doings; I muse on the work of thy hands.
I spread forth my hands unto thee: My soul `thirsteth' after thee, as a weary land. Selah
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.
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.
Deliver me, O Jehovah, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
Teach me to do thy will; For thou art my God: Thy Spirit is good; Lead me in the land of uprightness.
Quicken me, O Jehovah, for thy name's sake: In thy righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.
And in thy lovingkindness cut off mine enemies, And destroy all them that afflict my soul; For I am thy servant. Psalm 144 `A Psalm' of David.