KJV
Psalms 143
1¶ A Psalm of David. Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, [and] in thy righteousness.
2And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
3For 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.
4Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
5I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
6I 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.
8Cause 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.
9Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
10Teach me to do thy will; for thou [art] my God: thy spirit [is] good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
11Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.
12And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I [am] thy servant.
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Afflictions and Adversities: Prayer In Psalm 143:1–12
A Psalm of David. O LORD, hear my prayer. In Your faithfulness, give ear to my plea; in Your righteousness, answer me. / Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous before You. / For the enemy has pursued my soul, crushing my life to the ground, making me dwell in darkness like those long since dead.
Afflictions and Adversities: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Psalm 143:3, 4
For the enemy has pursued my soul, crushing my life to the ground, making me dwell in darkness like those long since dead. / My spirit grows faint within me; my heart is dismayed inside me.
Colors: Black: A Symbol of Affliction and Calamity Psalm 143:3
For the enemy has pursued my soul, crushing my life to the ground, making me dwell in darkness like those long since dead.
David: King of Israel: He Probably Writes, at This Time Psalm 143:1
A Psalm of David. O LORD, hear my prayer. In Your faithfulness, give ear to my plea; in Your righteousness, answer me.
Death: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Psalm 143:3
For the enemy has pursued my soul, crushing my life to the ground, making me dwell in darkness like those long since dead.
Decision: David Psalm 143:12
And in Your loving devotion, cut off my enemies. Destroy all who afflict me, for I am Your servant.
Depravity of Man: General Scriptures Concerning Psalm 143:2
Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous before You.
Depression Psalm 143:7, 8
Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide Your face from me, or I will be like those who descend to the Pit. / Let me hear Your loving devotion in the morning, for I have put my trust in You. Teach me the way I should walk, for to You I lift up my soul.
Desire: Spiritual Psalm 143:5, 6
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I consider the work of Your hands. / I stretch out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land. Selah
Faith: Exemplified Psalm 143:8, 9
Let me hear Your loving devotion in the morning, for I have put my trust in You. Teach me the way I should walk, for to You I lift up my soul. / Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD; I flee to You for refuge.
God: Goodness of Psalm 143:10
Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
God: Judge, and his Justice Psalm 143:2
Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous before You.
God: Righteousness of Psalm 143:1
A Psalm of David. O LORD, hear my prayer. In Your faithfulness, give ear to my plea; in Your righteousness, answer me.
Grace of God: General Scriptures Concerning Psalm 143:11
For the sake of Your name, O LORD, revive me. In Your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble.
Instruction: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Psalm 143:8, 10
Let me hear Your loving devotion in the morning, for I have put my trust in You. Teach me the way I should walk, for to You I lift up my soul. / Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Justification Before God: Under Law: Man Cannot Attain To Psalm 143:2
Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous before You.
Man: Cannot be Just with God Psalm 143:2
Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous before You.
Meditation: General Scriptures Concerning Psalm 143:5
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I consider the work of Your hands.
Obedience to God: Pray to be Taught Psalm 143:10
Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Obedience: General Scriptures Concerning Psalm 143:10
Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Persecution: The Wicked: Active In Psalm 143:3
For the enemy has pursued my soul, crushing my life to the ground, making me dwell in darkness like those long since dead.
Prayer Under Affliction for Divine Teaching and Direction Psalm 143:10
Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Prayer Under Affliction: That we May be Quickened Psalm 143:11
For the sake of Your name, O LORD, revive me. In Your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble.
Prayer: Daily, in the Morning Psalm 143:8
Let me hear Your loving devotion in the morning, for I have put my trust in You. Teach me the way I should walk, for to You I lift up my soul.
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary
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Psalms 143:1-12 In structure and style, like the preceding (Psalms
104-142), this Psalm is clearly evinced to be David's. It is a prayer for pardon, and for relief from enemies; afflictions, as usual, producing confession and penitence.
Psalms 143:1 Verse 1
in thy faithfulness ... and ... righteousness--or, God's regard to the claims which He has permitted His people to make in His covenant.
Psalms 143:2 Verse 2
enter ... judgment--deal not in strict justice. shall no ... justified--or, "is no man justified," or "innocent" (Job 14:3; Ro 3:20).
Psalms 143:3-4 Verses 3-4
The exciting reason for his prayer--his afflictions--led to confession as just made: he now makes the complaint. as those that have been long dead--deprived of life's comforts (compare Ps 40:15; 88:3-6).
Psalms 143:5-6 Verses 5-6
The distress is aggravated by the contrast of former comfort (Ps 22:3-5), for whose return he longs. a thirsty land--which needs rain, as did his spirit God's gracious visits (Ps 28:1; 89:17).
Psalms 143:7 Verse 7
spirit faileth--is exhausted.
Psalms 143:8 Verse 8
(Compare Ps 25:1-4; 59:16). the way ... walk--that is, the way of safety and righteousness (Ps 142:3-6).
Psalms 143:9 Verse 9
(Compare Ps 31:15-20).
Psalms 143:10 Verse 10
(Compare Ps 5:8; 27:11). land of uprightness--literally, "an even land" (Ps 26:12).
Psalms 143:11 Verse 11
(Compare Ps 23:3; 119:156).
Psalms 143:12 Verse 12
God's mercy to His people is often wrath to His and their enemies (compare Ps 31:17). thy servant--as chosen to be such, entitled to divine regard. PSALM 144
Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
Pastoral and devotional reflections focused on spiritual formation and application.
Psalms 143:1-6 Verses 1-6
We have no righteousness of our own to plead, therefore must plead God's righteousness, and the word of promise which he has freely given us, and caused us to hope in. David, before he prays for the removal of his trouble, prays for the pardon of his sin, and depends upon mercy alone for it. He bemoans the weight upon his mind from outward troubles. But he looks back, and remembers God's former appearance for his afflicted people, and for him in particular. He looks round, and notices the works of God. The more we consider the power of God, the less we shall fear the face or force of man. He looks up with earnest desires towards God and his favour. This is the best course we can take, when our spirits are overwhelmed. The believer will not forget, that in his best actions he is a sinner. Meditation and prayer will recover us from distresses; and then the mourning soul strives to return to the Lord as the infant stretches out its hands to the indulgent mother, and thirsts for his consolations as the parched ground for refreshing rain.
Psalms 143:7-12 Verses 7-12
David prays that God would be well pleased with him, and let him know that he was so. He pleads the wretchedness of his case, if God withdrew from him. But the night of distress and discouragement shall end in a morning of consolation and praise. He prays that he might be enlightened with the knowledge of God's will; and this is the first work of the Spirit. A good man does not ask the way in which is the most pleasant walking, but what is the right way. Not only show me what thy will is, but teach me how to do it. Those who have the Lord for their God, have his Spirit for their Guide; they are led by the Spirit. He prays that he might be enlivened to do God's will. But we should especially seek the destruction of our sins, our worst enemies, that we may be devotedly God's servants.