Psalm 143
This psalm was probably penned by David during the unnatural rebellion of his son Absalom, as Psalm 3, 42, 43. It contains, (1.) Sad complaints of trouble, and of the sinking of his spirit under it, ver. 3-5, 7. (2.) Fervent supplications that God would hear his prayer; ver. 1, 7; forgive his sins, ver. 2; manifest his favours, ver. 6-8; direct him in the way of duty, ver. 8-10; quicken him in it, ver. 11; deliver him out of trouble, ver.9, 11; and, in fine, punish his persecutors, ver. 12.
What time my heart is overwhelmed, let God lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. Let me study to have my sin removed first, in order that my troubles may remove in due order, and with a rich blessing.
A Psalm of David.
First Version (C.M.)
(Second version below)
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 tried:
Because no living man can be
in thy sight justified.
3 For th’ en’my hath pursued 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 overwhelmed
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 up-right-ness 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 destroy-ed be
That do afflict my soul: for I
a servant am to thee.
Artexerxes Tune
A Psalm of David.
Second Version (6.6.6.6.D.)
1 Oh, hear my prayer, Lord,
And unto my desire
To bow thine ear accord,
I humbly thee require;
And, in thy faithfulness,
Unto me answer make,
And, in thy righteousness,
Upon me pity take.
2 In judgment enter not
With me thy servant poor;
For why, this well I wot,
No sinner can endure
The sight of thee, O God:
If thou his deeds shalt try,
He dare make none abode
Himself to justify.
3 Behold, the cruel foe
Me persecutes with spite,
My soul to overthrow:
Yea, he my life down quite
Unto the ground hath smote,
And made me dwell full low
In darkness, as forgot,
Or men dead long ago.
4 Therefore my sp’rit much vexed,
O’erwhelmed is me within;
My heart right sore perplexed
And desolate hath been.
5 Yet I do call to mind
What ancient days record,
Thy works of ev’ry kind
I think upon, O Lord.
6 Lo, I do stretch my hands
To thee, my help alone;
For thou well understands
All my complaint and moan:
My thirsting soul desires,
And longeth after thee,
As thirsty ground requires
With rain refreshed to be.
7 Lord, let my pray’r prevail,
To answer it make speed;
For, lo, my sp’rit doth fail:
Hide not thy face in need;
Lest I be like to those
That do in darkness sit,
Or him that downward goes
Into the dreadful pit.
8 Because I trust in thee,
O Lord, cause me to hear
Thy loving-kindness free,
When morning doth appear:
Cause me to know the way
Wherein my path should be;
For why, my soul on high
I do lift up to thee.
9 From my fierce enemy
In safety do me guide,
Because I flee to thee,
Lord, that thou may’st me hide.
10 My God alone art thou,
Teach me thy righteousness:
Thy Sp’rit’s good, lead me to
The land of uprightness.
11 O Lord, for thy name’s sake,
Be pleased to quicken me;
And, for thy truth, forth take
My soul from misery.
12 And of thy grace destroy
My foes, and put to shame
All who my soul annoy;
For I thy servant am.
