A Prayer for Mercy, Guidance, and the Spirit’s Leading.

Psalm 143 is David’s urgent plea for God to hear him—not on the basis of human merit, but because the LORD is faithful and righteous. He describes being crushed by an enemy and overwhelmed in spirit, as if dwelling in darkness, and he remembers God’s past works to steady his soul. The psalm turns into a deliberate act of dependence: David stretches out his hands, thirsting for God like dry ground for rain. He asks for swift deliverance, guidance in God’s way, and a taught obedience—“cause me to know” and “teach me to do thy will”—because God’s Spirit leads into uprightness. It ends with a sober request for God’s name-sake preservation and for righteous judgment to cut off persistent enemies who afflict his soul.

Psalms 143:1 – 143:12

  1 A Psalm of David. Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, [and] in thy righteousness.
  2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
  3 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.
  4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
  5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
  6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul [thirsteth] after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.
  7 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.
  8 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.
  9 Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
  10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou [art] my God: thy spirit [is] good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
  11 Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
  12 And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I [am] thy servant.