Psalm 143
Psalm 143 is a heartfelt prayer of David in the face of distress. He pleads with God for mercy, guidance, and deliverance from his enemies. The psalm reveals David’s deep sense of dependence on God's righteousness and his trust in God’s ability to rescue him. It's a mixture of lament and hope, showing David's faith even in the darkest times. He humbly seeks God’s intervention, acknowledging his own frailty and God's justice.
Psalm 143:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Hear my prayer, O Lord,
Give ear to my supplications!
In Your faithfulness answer me,
And in Your righteousness.
2 Do not enter into judgment with Your servant,
For in Your sight no one living is righteous.
David starts with a plea for God to hear his prayer, appealing to God’s faithfulness and righteousness. He acknowledges that God is just, and he does not deserve an audience with Him based on his own merit. David recognizes that no one is righteous before God. His request is not based on personal righteousness but on God's mercy and grace, understanding that God's righteousness is what can truly save him.
Psalm 143:3 (NKJV)
3 For the enemy has persecuted my soul;
He has crushed my life to the ground;
He has made me dwell in darkness,
Like those who have long been dead.
David describes his intense suffering and persecution. His enemies have brought him to a state of despair, and he feels as though he is near death, dwelling in darkness like those who have already passed away. This verse paints a vivid picture of how his enemies have left him feeling crushed and hopeless.
Psalm 143:4 (NKJV)
4 Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me;
My heart within me is distressed.
David's inner turmoil is overwhelming. His spirit is crushed, and he is deeply troubled at heart. This emotional weight reflects the depth of his affliction. His cry for help comes from a place of severe inner distress, as the external pressures of his enemies are taking a toll on his spirit.
Psalm 143:5 (NKJV)
5 I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all Your works;
I muse on the work of Your hands.
In his distress, David turns his thoughts to God’s past deeds. He reflects on God’s faithfulness throughout history, drawing comfort from remembering how God has acted in the past. His meditation on God’s works brings hope, as he knows that God’s character remains the same.
Psalm 143:6 (NKJV)
6 I spread out my hands to You;
My soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Selah
David expresses his desperation by reaching out to God, longing for Him as dry land longs for water. This imagery shows his deep need for God’s presence and intervention. His soul is parched, yearning for the refreshment that only God can provide in his time of trouble.
Psalm 143:7 (NKJV)
7 Answer me speedily, O Lord;
My spirit fails!
Do not hide Your face from me,
Lest I be like those who go down into the pit.
David urges God to respond quickly because he feels that his spirit is failing. The fear of God turning away and leaving him in the grave-like despair is overwhelming. He is pleading for God's attention before his situation worsens to the point of no return, emphasizing the urgency of his cry.
Psalm 143:8 (NKJV)
8 Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You.
David longs for a fresh experience of God’s lovingkindness. He wants to hear God’s voice guiding him, trusting fully in God for direction. He desires God’s leadership in his life, seeking the path he should walk and lifting his soul to the Lord in faith and surrender.
Psalm 143:9 (NKJV)
9 Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies;
In You I take shelter.
David seeks deliverance from his enemies and proclaims his trust in God as his refuge. He acknowledges that only God can provide the protection and safety he desperately needs. The metaphor of God as his shelter shows his confidence in God’s ability to protect him.
Psalm 143:10 (NKJV)
10 Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Your Spirit is good.
Lead me in the land of uprightness.
David asks God to teach him to align with His will. He acknowledges God’s sovereignty over his life and recognizes the goodness of God’s Spirit. His desire is to be led in righteousness, seeking God’s guidance to walk in the path of integrity and moral uprightness.
Psalm 143:11-12 (NKJV)
11 Revive me, O Lord, for Your name’s sake!
For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
12 In Your mercy cut off my enemies,
And destroy all those who afflict my soul;
For I am Your servant.
David closes with a plea for revival and deliverance, not for his own sake, but for God’s glory and righteousness. He asks God to rescue him from trouble and deal justly with those who oppress him. His appeal is based on God’s mercy, and he concludes by reaffirming his position as God’s servant, wholly dependent on the Lord for his deliverance and restoration.