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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

A Davidic Song

Longing for God

143 Lord, hear my prayer;
    pay attention to my request, because you are faithful;
        answer me in your righteousness.
Do not enter into judgment with your servant,
    for no living person is righteous in your sight.

For those who oppose me are pursuing my life,
    crushing me to the ground,
making me sit in darkness
    like those who died long ago.
As a result, my spirit is desolate within me,
    and my mind within me is appalled.

I remember the former times,
    meditating on everything you have done.
        I think about the work[a] of your hands.
I stretch out my hands toward you,
    longing for you like a parched land.
Interlude

Answer me quickly, Lord;
    my spirit is failing.
Do not hide your face from me;
    otherwise, I will become like those who descend to the Pit.[b]
In the morning let me hear of your gracious love,
    for in you I trust.
Cause me to know the way I should take,
    because I have set my hope on you.
Deliver me from my enemies, Lord.
    I have taken refuge in you.
10 Teach me to do your will,
    for you are my God.
        Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
11 For the sake of your name, Lord,
    preserve my life.
Because you are righteous,
    bring me out of trouble.
12 Because of your gracious love,
    you will cut off my enemies.
You will destroy all who oppose me,
    for I am your servant.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 143:5 So MT; LXX DSS 11QPsa read works
  2. Psalm 143:7 I.e. the place of punishment in the afterlife