Psalms 143

A psalm of David

Hear my prayer, O LORD,

give ear to my supplications.

In your faithfulness

and in your

righteousness, answer me.

143:1 A prayer that can honestly appeal to both God’s faithfulness, to His promises and to His righteousness is sure to succeed, for it is in accordance with God’s nature and will (Ps 89:1-2; 71:2; Ex 34:6; 1 John 1:9; 5:14-15). We cannot expect God to answer a prayer contrary to His Word and His righteous nature. Observe other grounds for prayer in vs 8,9,10,11,12.⚜

2 And do not enter into judgment

with your servant,

for in your sight no man

living is righteous.

143:2 David is coming before God’s mercy seat, God’s throne of grace, not God’s judgment seat. He well knows that there was so much fault in himself that he could not stand before God in his own merit (Ps 14:3; 51:5; 130:3; Eccl 7:20; Rom 3:20, 23; Gal 2:16).⚜

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.

4 Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed

within me.

My heart within me is desolate.

5 I remember the days of old.

I meditate on all your works.

I ponder on the work of your

hands.

143:5 See Ps 77:6; David’s purpose here was to encourage himself and strengthen his faith.⚜

6 I stretch out my hands to you.

My soul thirsts for you

like a thirsty land. Selah

7 Answer me quickly, O LORD.

My spirit wastes away.

Do not hide your face from me,

so that I do not become like those

who go down into the pit.

143:6-7 More than mere deliverance from trouble David longed for God Himself. Without God’s fellowship he felt lost and plunged in grief – Ps 42:1-2; 63:1; 84:2.⚜

8 Cause me to hear your loving

kindness in the morning,

for in you I trust.

Cause me to know the way in

which I should walk,

for I lift up my soul to you.

9 Deliver me, O LORD, from

my enemies;

I flee to you to hide me.

143:9 Observe the basis for this prayer.⚜

10 Teach me to do your will,

for you are my God.

Your Spirit is good;

lead me in the land of

uprightness.

143:10 What greater good can God’s Spirit do than to teach us to do God’s will and lead us so we do not stumble? This He will do if we are believing, willing, and obedient.⚜

11 Revive me, O LORD,

for your name’s sake.

For the sake of your righteousness

bring my soul out of trouble.

143:11 This prayer was more for the sake of God’s name and righteousness than for David’s sake – another sure ground in prayer.⚜

12 And in your mercy cut off

my enemies,

and destroy all those who afflict

my soul; for I am

your servant.

143:12 Is it not the master’s business to look after his servants? When foes are implacable their destruction may be necessary to deliver the righteous from them. Note on enemies at Ps 3:7.⚜