Psalms 143

1 O LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God], hear [listen attentively to] my prayer [supplication, heartfelt request]. In Your faithfulness [loyalty, steadfastness], give ear [pay attention] to my plea [urgent request]; in Your righteousness [justice, moral integrity], answer [respond to] me. word study 2 Do not [never, under no circumstances] bring Your servant [or slave, one who serves] into judgment [or justice, righteous verdict], for no one [none, not a single person] alive [living, having physical or spiritual life] is righteous [just, upright, justified] before You [in Your presence, face to face]. word study 3 For the enemy [a person who hates or opposes] has pursued [chased after with hostile intent] my soul [the essence of my being, my life force], crushing [bruising, oppressing] my life [my physical and spiritual existence] to the ground [the earth, a place of darkness and death], making me dwell [causing me to remain, to sit] in darkness [a state of spiritual and emotional gloom, like the dead] like those long since dead [who have been dead for a long time, without hope]. word study 4 My spirit [breath of life, inner being] grows faint [is overwhelmed, becomes feeble] within me; my heart [inner self, emotions, and will] is dismayed [desolate, full of fear] inside me. word study 5 I remember [keep in mind, recall] the days [times, periods] of old [past, ancient]; I meditate [muse, ponder] on all [everything, every deed] Your works [actions, deeds]; I consider [reflect on, think about] the work [deed, accomplishment] of Your hands [power, strength]. word study 6 I stretch out [spread forth, like scattering or stretching out] my hands [an open hand; strength, a side or share] to You; my soul [the essence of a person] thirsts [feeling faint or exhausted] for You like a [thirsty, weary, or parched] parched land [the soil or ground]. Selah [a musical term signaling a pause or interruption] word study 7 Answer me quickly [hasten to respond, with urgency], O LORD [Yehovah, the sovereign God]; my spirit [breath of life, the essence of my being] fails [is weakened, losing strength]. Do not hide [conceal, turn away] Your face [presence, countenance] from me, or I will be like [resemble, compared to] those who descend [go down, sink] to the Pit [a place of darkness, the abyss]. word study 8 Let me hear [cause me to perceive] Your loving devotion [kindness, mercy, or pity] in the morning [at the break of day], for I have put my trust [confidence, faith] in You. Teach me [guide, instruct] the way [path, journey] I should walk [live, proceed], for to You [toward Your presence] I lift up [raise, exalt] my soul [living being, essence]. word study 9 Deliver me [rescue, snatch away] from my enemies [those who hate or oppose me], O LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]; I flee [run to, take refuge] to You [toward Your presence] for refuge [to hide, be covered]. word study 10 Teach me [to learn, to guide] to do Your will [Your good pleasure, acceptance], for You are my God [Eloah, the one true God]. May Your good [pleasant, beneficial] Spirit [the breath of life, Your mind and emotions] lead me [to guide, to transport] on level ground [in the land of uprightness, a plain area]. word study 11 For the sake of Your [holy, revered] name, O LORD [Yehovah, the self-existent God], revive me [quicken, give life to]. In Your [divine, perfect] righteousness [justice, moral integrity], bring my soul [living being, inner self] out of trouble [distress, adversity]. word study 12 And in Your loving devotion [kindness, mercy, pity], cut off my enemies [those who hate and oppose me]. Destroy [completely get rid of] all who afflict [rival, oppress] me, for I am Your servant [slave, one who serves]. word study