Psalms 143:1-12

  • Thirsting for God like a parched land

    • ‘I ponder over your works’ (5)

    • “Teach me to do your will” (10)

    • ‘May your good spirit lead me’ (10)

A melody of David. 143  O Jehovah, hear my prayer;+Listen to my plea for help. In your faithfulness and in your righteousness, answer me.  2  Do not enter into judgment with your servant,For no one living can be righteous before you.+  3  For the enemy pursues me;*He has crushed my life into the ground. He has caused me to dwell in darkness like those long dead.  4  My spirit* is failing;+My heart is numb within me.+  5  I remember the days of old;I meditate on all your activity;+I eagerly ponder over* the work of your hands.  6  I spread out my hands to you;I am* like a parched land that thirsts for you.+ (Selah)  7  Do answer me quickly, O Jehovah;+My strength* has come to an end.+ Do not hide your face from me,+Or I will be like those going down into the pit.*+  8  Let me hear your loyal love in the morning,For I trust in you. Make known to me the way I should walk,+For to you I turn.*  9  Rescue me from my enemies, O Jehovah. I seek your protection.+ 10  Teach me to do your will,+For you are my God. Your spirit is good;May it lead me on level ground.* 11  For the sake of your name, O Jehovah, preserve me alive. In your righteousness, rescue me* from distress.+ 12  In your loyal love, put an end to* my enemies;+Destroy all those harassing me,*+For I am your servant.+

Footnotes

Or “my soul.”
Or “strength.”
Or “study.”
Or “My soul is.”
Or “grave.”
Lit., “spirit.”
Or “For I lift up my soul to you.”
Or “in the land of uprightness.”
Or “my soul.”
Lit., “silence.”
Or “my soul.”