PSALM 143

¹A David psalm.

                LORD, hear my prayer,

                    hearken to my pleas.

                          In Your faithfulness answer me, in Your bounty.

                ²Do not come into judgment with Your servant,

                    for no living thing is acquitted before You.

                ³For the enemy pursued me,

                    thrust my life to the ground,

                          made me dwell in darkness like those long dead.

                ⁴And my spirit fainted within me,

                    in my breast my heart was stunned.

                ⁵I recalled the days of old,

                    I recited all Your deeds,

                          of Your handiwork I did speak.

                ⁶I stretched out my hands to You—

                    my very self like thirsty land to You.

selah

                ⁷Quick, answer me, O LORD,

                    my spirit pines away.

                Do not hide Your face from me,

                    lest I be like those gone down to the Pit.

                ⁸Let me hear Your kindness in the morning,

                    for in You I trust.

                Let me know the way I should go,

                    for to You I lift up my being.

                ⁹Save me from my enemies, LORD;

                    with You is my vindication.

                ¹⁰Teach me to do what will please You,

                    for You are my God.

                Let Your goodly spirit guide me

                    on level ground.

                ¹¹For the sake of Your name, LORD, give me life,

                    in Your bounty bring me out from the straits.

                ¹²And in Your kindness devastate my enemies

                    and destroy all my bitter foes,

                          for I am Your servant.