An Earnest Appeal for Guidance and Deliverance

A Psalm of David.

143 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.

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 distressed.

⁵ I remember the days of old;I meditate on all Your works;I muse on the work of Your hands.⁶ I spread out my hands to You;My soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Selah

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.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.

⁹ Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies;In You I take shelter.^[a]10 Teach me to do Your will,For You are my God;Your Spirit is good.Lead me in the land of uprightness.

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.