Psalms 143:1-11

1 Lord, hear my prayer! In your righteousness listen to my plea; answer me in your faithfulness!

2 Don't put me, your servant, on trial; ¹ no one is innocent in your sight.

3 My enemies have hunted me down and completely defeated me. They have put me in a dark prison, and I am like those who died long ago.

4 So I am ready to give up; I am in deep despair.

5 I remember the days gone by; I think about all that you have done, I bring to mind all your deeds.

6 I lift up my hands to you in prayer; like dry ground my soul is thirsty for you.

7 Answer me now, Lord! I have lost all hope. Don't hide yourself from me, or I will be among those who go down to the world of the dead.

8 Remind me each morning of your constant love, for I put my trust in you. My prayers go up to you; show me the way I should go.

9 I go to you for protection, Lord; rescue me from my enemies.

10 You are my God; teach me to do your will. Be good to me, and guide me on a safe path.

11 Rescue me, Lord, as you have promised; in your goodness save me from my troubles!

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.

Cross References

• 1. 143.2Romans 3.20;Galatians 2.16.