Psalm 143

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 been long 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 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.

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.