Add parallel Print Page Options

A Prayer for Help[a]

143 Lord, hear my prayer!
In your righteousness listen to my plea;
    answer me in your faithfulness!
(A)Don't put me, your servant, on trial;
    no one is innocent in your sight.

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

I remember the days gone by;
    I think about all that you have done,
    I bring to mind all your deeds.
I lift up my hands to you in prayer;
    like dry ground my soul is thirsty for you.

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.
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.

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!
12 Because of your love for me, kill my enemies
    and destroy all my oppressors,
    for I am your servant.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 143:1 HEBREW TITLE: A psalm by David.

Psalm 143

A psalm of David.

Lord, hear my prayer,(A)
    listen to my cry for mercy;(B)
in your faithfulness(C) and righteousness(D)
    come to my relief.
Do not bring your servant into judgment,
    for no one living is righteous(E) before you.
The enemy pursues me,
    he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in the darkness(F)
    like those long dead.(G)
So my spirit grows faint within me;
    my heart within me is dismayed.(H)
I remember(I) the days of long ago;
    I meditate(J) on all your works
    and consider what your hands have done.
I spread out my hands(K) to you;
    I thirst for you like a parched land.[a]

Answer me quickly,(L) Lord;
    my spirit fails.(M)
Do not hide your face(N) from me
    or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,(O)
    for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way(P) I should go,
    for to you I entrust my life.(Q)
Rescue me(R) from my enemies,(S) Lord,
    for I hide myself in you.
10 Teach me(T) to do your will,
    for you are my God;(U)
may your good Spirit
    lead(V) me on level ground.(W)

11 For your name’s sake,(X) Lord, preserve my life;(Y)
    in your righteousness,(Z) bring me out of trouble.
12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;(AA)
    destroy all my foes,(AB)
    for I am your servant.(AC)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 143:6 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.