Psalm 143
A psalm of David.

O Lord, hear my prayer;
   give ear to my plea, as You are faithful;
   answer me, as You are beneficent.
Do not enter into judgment with Your servant,
   for before You no creature is in the right.

My foe hounded me;
   he crushed me to the ground;
   he made me dwell in darkness
   like those long dead.
My spirit failed within me;
   my mind was numbed with horror.
Then I thought of the days of old;
   I rehearsed all Your deeds,
   recounted the work of Your hands.
I stretched out my hands to You,
   longing for You like thirsty earth.

Answer me quickly, O Lord;
   my spirit can endure no more.
Do not hide Your face from me,
   or I shall become like those who descend into the Pit.
Let me learn of Your faithfulness by daybreak,
   for in You I trust;
   let me know the road I must take,
   for on You I have set my hope.
Save me from my foes, O Lord;
   to You I look for cover.
Teach me to do Your will,
   for You are my God.
Let Your gracious spirit lead me
   on level ground.
For the sake of Your name, O Lord, preserve me;
   as You are beneficent, free me from distress.
As You are faithful, put an end to my foes;
   destroy all my mortal enemies,
   for I am Your servant.