Midvash

Psalms 143

Teach me to do your will

ear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my plea! Answer me because you are faithful and righteous.a 2Don’t put your servant on trial, for no one is innocent before you.b 3My enemy has chased me. He has knocked me to the ground and forces me to live in darkness like those in the grave.

4I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed with fear. 5I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works and think about what you have done. 6I lift my hands to you in prayer. I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain. Interludec 7Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don’t turn away from me, or I will die.d

8Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.e 9Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I run to you to hide me. 10Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.f

11For the glory of your name, O Lord, preserve my life. Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress. 12In your unfailing love, silence all my enemies and destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.

Commentary
Psalm 143 is a penitential lament, one of seven traditionally identified, where David cries out from a place of deep distress—enemies pursuing, spirit fainting, heart desolate. He does not claim righteousness but appeals to God's faithfulness and righteousness as the ground for merc
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Bible Dictionary· Psalms 143(4)

RainSilenceSpiritThe Way

References· Psalms 143

a
v.1 — Psalms 71:2, Psalms 31:1, Psalms 140:6, Daniel 9:16, 1 John 1:9, Psalms 89:1-2, 2 Samuel 7:25
b
v.2 — Ecclesiastes 7:20, Job 25:4, Romans 3:20, Psalms 130:3, 1 John 1:10, Job 14:3, Galatians 2:16, Job 15:14, Job 4:17, Exodus 34:7
c
v.6 — Psalms 63:1, Job 11:13, Psalms 88:9, Psalms 84:2, Psalms 42:1-2, Psalms 44:20, Isaiah 26:8-9, Isaiah 35:7, John 7:37
d
v.7 — Psalms 69:17, Psalms 28:1, Psalms 27:9, Psalms 71:12, Psalms 88:4-6, Psalms 70:5, Psalms 102:2, Psalms 69:3, Isaiah 38:18, Psalms 40:12-13
e
v.8 — Psalms 25:4-5, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalms 32:8, Isaiah 48:17, Isaiah 30:21, Psalms 46:5, Psalms 143:10, Psalms 59:16, Psalms 27:11, Psalms 90:14
f
v.10 — Psalms 25:4-5, John 14:26, Hebrews 13:21, Psalms 23:3, Psalms 119:12, Nehemiah 9:20, 2 Timothy 1:7, John 16:13-15, Romans 15:13, Psalms 25:8-9

New Living Translation (NLT) © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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