Psalm 143 (142)

A Psalm of David

«Hear my prayer, O Lord,

 give ear to my supplications:

in thy faithfulness answer me, and

in thy righteousness.

And enter not into judgment with thy servant:

for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

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.

 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me;

my heart within me is desolate.

I remember the days of old;

I meditate on all thy works;

 I muse on the work of thy hands.

I stretch forth my hands unto thee:

 my soul thirsteth after thee,

as a thirsty land.                                       Sellah.

 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.

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.

 Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies:

 I flee unto thee to hide me.

 Teach me to do thy will;

 for thou art my God:

 thy spirit is good;

lead me into the land of uprightness.

 Quicken me, O Lord,

for thy name’s sake:

for thy righteousness’ sake

bring  my soul out of trouble.

And of thy mercy cut off

mine enemies,

and destroy all them

that afflict my soul:

 for I am thy servant.»

King James Version