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Psalm 143

Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies

A Psalm of David.

Hear my prayer, O Lord;
    give ear to my supplications in your faithfulness;
    answer me in your righteousness.(A)
Do not enter into judgment with your servant,
    for no one living is righteous before you.(B)

For the enemy has pursued me,
    crushing my life to the ground,
    making me sit in darkness like those long dead.
Therefore my spirit faints within me;
    my heart within me is appalled.(C)

I remember the days of old;
    I think about all your deeds;
    I meditate on the works of your hands.(D)
I stretch out my hands to you;
    my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah(E)

Answer me quickly, O Lord;
    my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me,
    or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.(F)
Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning,
    for in you I put my trust.
Teach me the way I should go,
    for to you I lift up my soul.(G)

Save me, O Lord, from my enemies;
    I have fled to you for refuge.[a](H)
10 Teach me to do your will,
    for you are my God.
Let your good spirit lead me
    on a level path.(I)

11 For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life.
    In your righteousness bring me out of trouble.(J)
12 In your steadfast love cut off my enemies,
    and destroy all my adversaries,
    for I am your servant.(K)

Footnotes

  1. 143.9 Heb ms Gk: MT to you I have hidden

Psalm 143

A psalm of David.

143 Listen to my prayer, Lord!
    Because of your faithfulness, hear my requests for mercy!
    Because of your righteousness, answer me!
Please don’t bring your servant to judgment,
    because no living thing is righteous before you.

The enemy is chasing me,[a]
    crushing my life in the dirt,
        forcing me to live in the dark
            like those who’ve been dead forever.
My spirit is weak inside me—
    inside, my mind is numb.

I remember the days long past;
    I meditate on all your deeds;
    I contemplate your handiwork.
I stretch out my hands to you;
    my whole being is like dry dirt, thirsting for you.[b] Selah

Answer me, Lord—and quickly! My breath is fading.
    Don’t hide your face from me
        or I’ll be like those going down to the pit!
Tell me all about your faithful love come morning time,
    because I trust you.
Show me the way I should go,
    because I offer my life up to you.
Deliver me from my enemies, Lord!
    I seek protection from you.[c]
10 Teach me to do what pleases you,
    because you are my God.
Guide me by your good spirit
        into good land.
11 Make me live again, Lord, for your name’s sake.
    Bring me out of distress because of your righteousness.
12 Wipe out my enemies because of your faithful love.
    Destroy everyone who attacks me,
        because I am your servant.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 143:3 Or my soul; also in 143:6, 8, 11-12
  2. Psalm 143:6 Heb lacks thirsting.
  3. Psalm 143:9 Heb uncertain; MT to you I have hidden