Chapter 143

Plea for strength and protection


A psalm of David

1

Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my supplications; in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.

2

And enter not into judgment with thy servant; for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

3

For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness as those that have long been dead.

4

Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.

5

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.

6

I stretch forth my hands unto thee; my soul thirsteth after thee as a thirsty land. Selah.

7

Hear me speedily, O Lord; my spirit faileth; hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.

8

Cause me to hear thy loving-kindness in the morning, for in thee do I trust; cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my soul unto thee.

9

Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies; I flee unto thee to hide me.

10

Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God; thy Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

11

Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name's sake; for thy righteousness' sake, bring my soul out of trouble.

12

And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul; for I am thy servant.