Psalm 143

¹Let my prayer come to you, O Lord; give ear to my requests for your grace; keep faith with me, and give me an answer in your righteousness;

²Let not your servant come before you to be judged; for no man living is upright in your eyes.

³The evil man has gone after my soul; my life is crushed down to the earth: he has put me in the dark, like those who have long been dead.

⁴Because of this my spirit is overcome; and my heart is full of fear.

⁵I keep in mind the early days of the past, giving thought to all your acts, even to the work of your hands.

⁶My hands are stretched out to you: my soul is turned to you, like a land in need of water. (Selah.)

⁷Be quick in answering me, O Lord, for the strength of my spirit is gone: let me see your face, so that I may not be like those who go down into the underworld.

⁸Let the story of your mercy come to me in the morning, for my hope is in you: give me knowledge of the way in which I am to go; for my soul is lifted up to you.

⁹O Lord, take me out of the hands of my haters; my soul is waiting for you.

¹⁰Give me teaching so that I may do your pleasure; for you are my God: let your good Spirit be my guide into the land of righteousness.

¹¹Give me life, O Lord, because of your name; in your righteousness take my soul out of trouble.

¹²And in your mercy put an end to my haters, and send destruction on all those who are against my soul; for I am your servant.