1 A psalm of David. Jehovah, hear my prayer, give ear to my supplications; in thy faithfulness answer me, in thy righteousness.
2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant, for none living shall be Just in thy presence.
3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul, he hath crushed to the earth my life; he hath made me dwell in dark places, like those long dead.
4 And overwhelmed in (on) me is my spirit, in the midst of me desolated is my heart.
5 I remembered days of old; I meditated on all thy doings; on the work of thy hands I mused.
6 I spread my hands unto thee; my soul like a weary land [thirsteth] for thee, Selah.
7 Hasten, answer me, Jehovah: my spirit faileth; hide not thy face from me, and I shall not be like [those that] go down to the pit.
8 Cause me to hear in the morning thy mercy, for in thee do I confide; make me to know the way that I should go, for unto thee I lift up my soul.
9 Deliver me from mine enemies, Jehovah; in thee have I hid myself.
10 Teach me to do thy pleasure, for thou [art] my God; let thy good spirit lead me in a land of evenness.
11 For thy name’s sake, Jehovah, quicken; in thy righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.
12 And in thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all oppressors of my soul; for I [am] thy servant.
Notes on Psalm 143
“A psalm of David.” The following is deeper still: not only none else save Jehovah, but self-abandoned. No righteousness can stand judgment, but here is the righteousness of God by faith. Confidence is in grace. So the godly Jew will feel and say in that day.