Psalm 143

[1]   Hear my prayer, O LORD;  

          give ear to my supplications in your faithfulness;  

          answer me in your righteousness.  

[2]   Do not enter into judgment with your servant,  

          for no one living is righteous before you.

[3]   For the enemy has pursued me,  

          crushing my life to the ground,  

          making me sit in darkness like those long dead.  

[4]   Therefore my spirit faints within me;  

          my heart within me is appalled.

[5]   I remember the days of old,  

          I think about all your deeds,  

          I meditate on the works 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, O LORD;  

          my spirit fails.   

     Do not hide your face from me,  

          or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.  

[8]   Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning,  

          for in you I put my trust.  

     Teach me the way I should go,  

          for to you I lift up my soul.

[9]   Save me, O LORD, from my enemies;  

          I have fled to you for refuge.  

[10]  Teach me to do your will,  

          for you are my God.  

     Let your good spirit lead me  

          on a level path.

[11]  For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life.  

          In your righteousness bring me out of trouble.  

[12]  In your steadfast love cut off my enemies,  

          and destroy all my adversaries,  

          for I am your servant.