Psalms 143

143 ¹ My Father, hear my prayer; listen to my pleas for mercy; answer me in your faithfulness, in your righteousness. ² Do not bring your servant to judgment, for no one living is righteous before you. ^a a v2 Paul drew on this line to teach that no one is made right with our Father by their own record — only through trusting Jesus. ³ For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me dwell in darkness like those long dead. ⁴ My spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled. ⁵ I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. ⁶ I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah.

⁷ Answer me quickly, my Father; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me, or I will be like those who go down to the pit. ⁸ Let me hear of your covenant love in the morning, for in you I trust. Show me the way I should go, for I lift up my soul to you. ⁹ Rescue me from my enemies, my Father; I have fled to you for cover. ¹⁰ Teach me to do your will, for you are my Father; let your good Spirit lead me on level ground. ¹¹ For your name's sake, my Father, preserve my life; in your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble. ¹² And in your covenant love you will cut off my enemies and destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant.