1Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.2Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no-one living is righteous before you.3The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead.4So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed.5I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.6I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land.[1]7Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit.8Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.9Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you.10Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.11For your name’s sake, Lord, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.12In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.
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)