Psalm 143 — A Prayer for Mercy and Guidance
The psalmist cries out to God for deliverance from enemies and personal distress, requesting divine guidance and a renewed spirit.
1Hear my prayer, LORD.
2Don’t enter into judgment with your servant,
3For the enemy pursues my soul.
4Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me.
5I remember the days of old.
6I spread out my hands to you.
7Hurry to answer me, LORD.
8Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning,
9Deliver me, LORD, from my enemies.
10Teach me to do your will,
11Revive me, LORD, for your name’s sake.
12In your loving kindness, cut off my enemies,
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Psalm 143:1
“Hear my prayer, LORD. Give ear to my petitions. In your faithfulness and righteousness, answer me.”
This verse establishes the humble and urgent tone of the prayer for God's attention.
Psalm 143:8
“Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning, for I trust in you. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you.”
This verse highlights the psalmist's total trust and desire for divine direction.
Psalm 143:10
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.”
It expresses a deep longing for moral and spiritual alignment with God.
Chapter Summary
Psalm 143 is a sincere prayer for help during a period of intense suffering. The speaker begins by pleading for God's attention and requesting that God not judge them harshly, recognizing that no one is truly righteous. The text describes a soul overwhelmed by an enemy's pursuit and a spirit that has become desolate. To find hope, the psalmist reflects on God's past works and reaches out in earnest prayer. The second half of the chapter focuses on specific requests: for God's loving kindness to be revealed in the morning, for deliverance from physical threats, and for instruction on how to follow God's will. The prayer concludes with a request for revival and the removal of those who afflict the soul, reaffirming the psalmist's status as God's servant.
Frequently Asked Questions
The psalmist asks for God's mercy, deliverance from enemies, and specific guidance on how to live according to God's will. It is a plea for spiritual revival and protection during a time of deep emotional and physical distress.
By remembering 'the days of old' and meditating on God's past works, the psalmist finds the strength to continue trusting God despite current hardships. This reflection serves as a source of hope and a reminder of God's past faithfulness.
In verse 2, the psalmist asks God not to enter into judgment, noting that 'no man living is righteous' in God's sight. This acknowledges the universal human need for God's grace and mercy rather than a judgment based on merit.
Study Note
Psalm 143 is historically categorized as the last of the seven Penitential Psalms, which are prayers of repentance and reliance on God's grace.
Related Chapters
Psalm 51
Both psalms involve a humble plea for mercy and a recognition of the need for spiritual renewal.
Psalm 142
This preceding chapter also features a cry for help from a place of overwhelming distress.
Romans 3
This New Testament chapter echoes the sentiment in Psalm 143:2 regarding the universal lack of human righteousness.
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