Psalm 143

A Prayer Not to Be Killed

A psalm of David.

143Lord, hear my prayer;

listen to my cry for mercy.

Answer me

because you are loyal and good.

²Don’t judge me, your servant,

because no one alive is right before you.

³My enemies are chasing me;

they crushed me to the ground.

They made me live in darkness

like those long dead.

⁴I am afraid;

my courage is gone.

⁵I remember what happened long ago;

I consider everything you have done.

I think about all you have made.

⁶I lift my hands to you in prayer.

As a dry land needs rain, I thirst for you.

Selah

⁷Lord, answer me quickly,

because I am getting weak.

Don’t turn away from me,

or I will be like those who are dead.

⁸Tell me in the morning about your love,

because I trust you.

Show me what I should do,

because my prayers go up to you.

⁹Lord, save me from my enemies;

I hide in you.

¹⁰Teach me to do what you want,

because you are my God.

Let your good Spirit

lead me on level ground.

¹¹Lord, let me live

so people will praise you.

In your goodness

save me from my troubles.

¹²In your love defeat my enemies.

Destroy all those who trouble me,

because I am your servant.