1LORD, hear my prayer. Listen to my cry for mercy. You are faithful and right. Come and help me.2Don’t take me to court and judge me, because in your eyes no living person does what is right.3My enemies chase me. They crush me down to the ground. They make me live in the darkness like those who died long ago.4So I grow weak. Deep down inside me, I’m afraid.5I remember what happened long ago. I spend time thinking about all your acts. I consider what your hands have done.6I spread out my hands to you in prayer. I’m thirsty for you, just as dry ground is thirsty for rain.7LORD, answer me quickly. I’m growing weak. Don’t turn your face away from me, or I will be like those who go down into the grave.8In the morning let me hear about your faithful love, because I’ve put my trust in you. Show me the way I should live, because I trust you with my life.9LORD, save me from my enemies, because I go to you for safety.10Teach me to do what you want, because you are my God. May your good Spirit lead me on a level path.11LORD, bring yourself honour by keeping me alive. Because you do what is right, get me out of trouble.12Because your love is faithful, put an end to my enemies. Destroy all of them, because I serve you.
Psalm 143
English Standard Version
My Soul Thirsts for You
1A Psalm of David. Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness! (Ps 31:1; Ps 140:6; 1Jo 1:9)2Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you. (1Ki 8:46; Job 9:2; Job 14:3; Job 15:14; Job 25:4; Ps 130:3; Ec 7:20; Ro 3:23; 1Co 4:4)3For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead. (Ps 88:3; La 3:6)4Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled. (Ps 77:3)5I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. (Ps 77:5; Ps 77:11; Ps 77:12; Ps 111:2)6I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. (Job 11:13; Ps 42:2; Ps 63:1)7Answer me quickly, O Lord! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. (Ps 27:9; Ps 28:1; Ps 69:17; Ps 84:2; Ps 88:4; Ps 102:2)8Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. (Ps 11:1; Ps 25:1; Ps 25:2; Ps 25:4; Ps 90:14)9Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord! I have fled to you for refuge.[1] (Ps 59:1; Ps 142:6)10Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! (Ne 9:20; Ps 23:3; Ps 27:11; Ps 119:12; Isa 26:10)11For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble! (Ps 23:3; Ps 25:11; Ps 71:20; Ps 142:7)12And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies, and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant. (Ps 54:5; Ps 116:16)