Psalm 143

¹ HEAR my prayer, O Lord, and consider my desire * hearken unto me for thy truth and righteousness' sake.

² And enter not into judgement with thy servant * for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

³ For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground * he hath laid me in the darkness, as the men that have been long dead.

⁴ Therefore is my spirit vexed within me * and my heart within me is desolate.

⁵ Yet do I remember the time past; I muse upon all thy works * yea, I exercise myself in the works of thy hands.

⁶ I stretch forth my hands unto thee * my soul gaspeth unto thee as a thirsty land.

⁷ Hear me, O Lord, and that soon, for my spirit waxeth faint * hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.

⁸ O let me hear thy loving-kindness betimes in the morning, for in thee is my trust * shew thou me the way that I should walk in, for I lift up my soul unto thee.

⁹ Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies * for I flee unto thee to hide me.

¹⁰ Teach me to do the thing that pleaseth thee, for thou art my God * let thy loving Spirit lead me forth into the land of righteousness.

¹¹ Quicken me, O Lord, for thy Name's sake * and for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.

¹² And of thy goodness slay mine enemies * and destroy all them that vex my soul ; for I am thy servant.