Psalms 143

Psalms 143THEME: David’s urgent appeal for helpThis is another marvelous prayer of David. It is an urgent appeal for help. David had no inhibitions, and he opened his heart to God. Oh, that we could learn to pray like that!

Psalms 143:1

David appeals to the faithfulness and righteousness of God for an answer. Isn’t this exactly what believers are to do when they sin? “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1Jn_1:9). “He is faithful and just [or righteous].” Like David, we appeal to God on the basis of His faithfulness and His righteousness. This psalm is a very wonderful prayer, and it can fit into your experience and mine. This is also the plea of the nation Israel. This is their hope when they cry for help from God in their day of calamity. And God will not disappoint them. God is not through with Israel. In Mic_7:20 we read, “Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.” In Exo_2:24-25 we are told, “And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.” Why did God have respect unto Israel? Because He is faithful and righteous. In Romans Paul tells us what Israel’s problem is today. “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Rom_10:3). This is also the trouble the Gentiles have. They are working at a religion. They are trying to do something to please God. My friend, He has already done something for them. He sent His Son to the cross to pay the penalty for sin. You please Him when you accept what He has done for you. “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth” (Rom_10:4).

Psalms 143:6

I have watched it rain out on the desert on that sandy soil when it has rained and rained and rained, and that thirsty land just drinks it up. David says, “My soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land.” Now hear David’s cry:

Psalms 143:7

David is saying to God, “You are my only help.”

Psalms 143:8

This reveals David’s trust in God as his only refuge and his only hope. “Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God” should be the daily prayer of every child of God.