Psalms 143:1-11

1 Listen to this prayer of mine, God; pay attention to what I'm asking. Answer me - you're famous for your answers! Do what's right for me.

2 But don't, please don't, haul me into court; not a person alive would be acquitted there.

3 The enemy hunted me down; he kicked me and stomped me within an inch of my life. He put me in a black hole, buried me like a corpse in that dungeon.

4 I sat there in despair, my spirit draining away, my heart heavy, like lead.

5 I remembered the old days, went over all you've done, pondered the ways you've worked,

6 Stretched out my hands to you, as thirsty for you as a desert thirsty for rain.

7 Hurry with your answer, God! I'm nearly at the end of my rope. Don't turn away; don't ignore me! That would be certain death.

8 If you wake me each morning with the sound of your loving voice, I'll go to sleep each night trusting in you. Point out the road I must travel; I'm all ears, all eyes before you.

9 Save me from my enemies, God - you're my only hope!

10 Teach me how to live to please you, because you're my God. Lead me by your blessed Spirit into cleared and level pastureland.

11 Keep up your reputation, God - give me life! In your justice, get me out of this trouble!

Psalms 143:1-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 143

\\<>\\. This psalm was composed by David when he fled from Absalom his son, according to the title of it in Apollinarius, the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Ethiopic, and Arabic versions; so R. Obadiah Gaon: and of the same opinion is Theodoret and others. The sense he had of his sins, and his deprecating God's entering into judgment with him for them, seems to confirm it; affliction from his own family for them being threatened him, 2Sa 12:9-11; though Kimchi thinks it was written on the same account as the former, and at the same time, namely, when he was persecuted by Saul; and what is said in Ps 142:2,4, seems to agree with it. The Syriac inscription is, ``when the Edomites came against him;'' which is very foreign, since these were subdued by him.