Psalm 143

A Psalm of David.

FIRST VERSION (C.M.)

1        Lord, hear my pray'r, attend my suits;

                   and in thy faithfulness

          Give thou an answer unto me,

                   and in thy righteousness.

2        Thy servant also bring thou not

                   in judgment to be try'd:

          Because no living man can be

                   in thy sight justify'd.

3        For th' en'my hath pursu'd my soul,

                   my life to ground down tread:

          In darkness he hath made me dwell,

                   as who have long been dead.

4        My sp'rit is therefore overwhelm'd

                   in me perplexedly;

          Within me is my very heart

                   amazed wondrously.

5        I call to mind the days of old,

                   to meditate I use

          On all thy works; upon the deeds

                   I of thy hands do muse.

6        My hands to thee I stretch; my soul

                   thirsts, as dry land, for thee.

7        Haste, Lord, to hear, my spirit fails:

                   hide not thy face from me;

          Lest like to them I do become

                   that go down to the dust.

8        At morn let me thy kindness hear;

                   for in thee do I trust.

          Teach me the way that I should walk:

                   I lift my soul to thee.

9        Lord, free me from my foes; I flee

                   to thee to cover me.

10      Because thou art my God, to do

                   thy will do me instruct:

          Thy Sp'rit is good, me to the land

                   of uprightness conduct.

11      Revive and quicken me, O Lord,

                   ev'n for thine own name's sake;

          And do thou, for thy righteousness,

                   my soul from trouble take.

12      And of thy mercy slay my foes;

                   let all destroyed be

          That do afflict my soul: for I

                   a servant am to thee.