Aa
Psalm 143
A Cry for Help
A psalm of David.
1 Lord, hear my prayer.
In your faithfulness listen to my plea,
and in your righteousness answer me.143:1 Ps 71:2; 140:6
2Do not bring your servant into judgment,143:2 Jb 14:3
for no one alive is righteous in your sight.143:2 Jb 15:14; Ps 130:3; Rm 3:23

3For the enemy has pursued me,
crushing me to the ground,
making me live in darkness
like those long dead.143:3 Ps 88:3–6; Lm 3:6
4My spirit is weak within me;
my heart is overcome with dismay.143:4 Ps 77:3; 142:3

5I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all you have done;
I reflect on the work of your hands.143:5 Ps 77:5,10–12
6I spread out my hands to you;
I am like parched land before you.143:6 Jb 11:13; Ps 42:2; 63:1Selah

7Answer me quickly, Lord;
my spirit fails.143:7 Ps 69:17; 102:2
Don’t hide your face from me,
or I will be like those
going down to the Pit.143:7 Ps 28:1; 88:4
8Let me experience
your faithful love in the morning,
for I trust in you.143:8 Ps 90:14
Reveal to me the way I should go
because I appeal to you.143:8 Ps 25:1,4
9Rescue me from my enemies, Lord;
I come to you for protection.143:9 One Hb ms, LXX; some Hb mss read I cover myself to you143:9 Ps 31:15; 59:1; 142:6
10Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.143:10 Ps 25:4–5; 31:14; 63:1; 86:2; 119:12
May your gracious Spirit
lead me on level ground.143:10 Ps 23:3

11For your name’s sake, Lord,
let me live.
In your righteousness deliver me from trouble,143:11 Ps 25:11; 71:20
12and in your faithful love destroy my enemies.
Wipe out all those who attack me,
for I am your servant.143:12 Ps 54:5; 116:16