Psalms 143

1Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.

1 Let my prayer come to you, O Lord; give ear to my requests for your grace; keep faith with me, and give me an answer in your righteousness;

2And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

2Let not your servant come before you to be judged; for no man living is upright in your eyes.

3For 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 been long dead.

3The evil man has gone after my soul; my life is crushed down to the earth: he has put me in the dark, like those who have long been dead.

4Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.

4Because of this my spirit is overcome; and my heart is full of fear.

5I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.

5I keep in mind the early days of the past, giving thought to all your acts, even to the work of your hands.

6I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.

6My hands are stretched out to you: my soul is turned to you, like a land in need of water. (Selah.)

7Hear 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.

7Be quick in answering me, O Lord, for the strength of my spirit is gone: let me see your face, so that I may not be like those who go down into the underworld.

8Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness 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.

8Let the story of your mercy come to me in the morning, for my hope is in you: give me knowledge of the way in which I am to go; for my soul is lifted up to you.

9Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.

9O Lord, take me out of the hands of my haters; my soul is waiting for you.

10Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

10Give me teaching so that I may do your pleasure; for you are my God: let your good Spirit be my guide into the land of righteousness.

11Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.

11Give me life, O Lord, because of your name; in your righteousness take my soul out of trouble.

12And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.

12And in your mercy put an end to my haters, and send destruction on all those who are against my soul; for I am your servant.