Psalms 143

David earnestly prays for God's faithful and righteous answer, acknowledging that no one can be justified before Him. He describes his soul's persecution and desolation, seeking urgent deliverance from enemies and divine guidance. He trusts in God to quicken him and lead him in righteousness, appealing to God's mercy as His servant.

The psalm begins with David's fervent supplication for God to hear his prayer and answer in faithfulness and righteousness, explicitly stating that no living person can be justified in God's sight. He vividly describes his profound distress, detailing how his enemies have persecuted him, smitten his life, and left his spirit overwhelmed and desolate, akin to being long dead. In his despair, he remembers God's past works and stretches out his hands, his soul thirsting for the LORD. David urgently requests God to hear him speedily, show His lovingkindness, and reveal the way he should walk, for he trusts in Him. He seeks deliverance from his adversaries and asks God to teach him His will, appealing to God's good spirit to lead him into uprightness. The psalm concludes with a plea for God to quicken him for His name's sake and, out of mercy, destroy those who afflict him, affirming his identity as God's servant.

Psalms 143 opens with David's earnest and urgent prayer to the LORD, imploring Him to hear his supplications and answer according to His faithfulness and righteousness. He immediately sets a humble tone by requesting that God not enter into judgment with His servant, for he acknowledges that in God's sight, no living person can be justified. David then vividly describes his dire circumstances, explaining that his enemy has severely persecuted his soul, smitten his life down to the ground, and forced him to dwell in darkness, like those who have been long dead. This profound affliction has left his spirit overwhelmed within him and his heart desolate. In this state of despair, David turns to remembrance, meditating on the days of old, all of God's works, and the work of His hands, seeking solace and hope in past divine interventions. He expresses his deep spiritual longing, stretching forth his hands unto God and declaring that his soul thirsts for the LORD as a thirsty land. An urgent plea follows for God to hear him speedily, as his spirit is failing, and to not hide His face from him, lest he become like those who descend into the pit. David requests to hear God's lovingkindness in the morning, affirming his unwavering trust in the LORD. He further seeks divine guidance, asking God to cause him to know the way wherein he should walk, for he lifts his soul unto Him. He prays for deliverance from his enemies, stating that he flees to God for refuge and protection. Moreover, he asks God to teach him to do His will, acknowledging God as his own God and proclaiming the goodness of God's spirit, desiring to be led into the land of uprightness. The psalm culminates in a powerful petition for God to quicken him, or revive his spirit, for His name's sake, and to bring his soul out of trouble for His righteousness' sake. Finally, David implores God, out of His mercy, to cut off his enemies and destroy all those who afflict his soul, reiterating his identity as God's devoted servant.