Psalms 143

A Psalm of David.

I Stretch Out My Hands to You

1Hear my prayer, O Lord,

Give ear to my supplications:

In thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.

2And enter not into judgment with thy servant:

For in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

3For the enemy hath persecuted my soul;

He hath smitten my life down to the ground;

He hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.

4Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me;

My heart within me is desolate.

5I remember the days of old;

I meditate on all thy works;

I muse on the work of thy hands.

6I stretch forth my hands unto thee:

My soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.

7Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit faileth:

Hide not thy face from me,

Lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.

8Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning;

For in thee do I trust:

Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk;

For I lift up my soul unto thee.

9Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies:

I flee unto thee to hide me.

10Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God:

Thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

11Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name’s sake:

For thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.

12And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies,

And destroy all them that afflict my soul:

For I am thy servant.