Psalms



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.