Psalm 143
- Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
- And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
- For 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.
- Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
- I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
- I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.
- 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.
- Cause 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.
- Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
- Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
- Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
- And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.
A Cry for Deliverance: Trusting in God’s Faithfulness
Psalm 143 is a heartfelt plea for divine intervention and guidance in the face of adversity. In its twelve verses, the psalmist pours out their soul before the Lord, seeking deliverance from enemies and solace in God’s lovingkindness. Each stanza serves as a testament to the psalmist’s unwavering trust in the faithfulness and righteousness of God.
The psalm begins with a fervent prayer for God’s attention and response to the psalmist’s supplications. The psalmist appeals to God’s faithfulness and righteousness, trusting that He will hear and answer their cries for help.
Verses three and four depict the psalmist’s distress and despair in the face of relentless persecution from enemies. Despite feeling overwhelmed and desolate, the psalmist clings to their faith in God’s deliverance and salvation.
In verses five and six, the psalmist finds solace in reflecting on God’s past deeds and meditating on His works. Here, the psalmist draws strength from remembering God’s faithfulness and power, likening their thirst for God’s presence to a parched land.
The psalmist implores God to hear their prayers speedily and not hide His face from them, lest they be consumed by despair and destruction. This plea for divine intervention underscores the psalmist’s dependence on God’s mercy and protection.
In verses eight through ten, the psalmist petitions God for guidance and instruction in doing His will. They acknowledge God as their sole source of trust and seek His direction in navigating the challenges of life.
The psalmist concludes with a prayer for deliverance from enemies and a plea for God’s mercy to prevail over those who afflict them. Here, the psalmist reaffirms their identity as God’s servant and entrusts their fate to His care.
In conclusion, Psalm 143 is a poignant expression of trust and dependence on God in times of trouble. It is a prayer of faith and surrender, as the psalmist lays bare their soul before the Lord, seeking His deliverance and guidance. Let us, therefore, emulate the psalmist’s example of unwavering trust in God’s faithfulness and righteousness, knowing that He is always near to hear and answer our prayers. Amen.