Psalm 143 :: English Standard Version (ESV)

My Soul Thirsts for You

Psa 143:1A Psalm of David.
Hear my prayer, O LORD;
give ear to my pleas for mercy!
In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!

Psa 143:2

Psa 143:2Enter not into judgment with your servant,
for no one living is righteous before you.

Psa 143:3

Psa 143:3For the enemy has pursued my soul;
he has crushed my life to the ground;
he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.

Psa 143:4

Psa 143:4Therefore my spirit faints within me;
my heart within me is appalled.

Psa 143:5

Psa 143:5I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all that you have done;
I ponder the work of your hands.

Psa 143:6

Psa 143:6I stretch out my hands to you;
my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah

Psa 143:7

Psa 143:7Answer me quickly, O LORD!
My spirit fails!
Hide not your face from me,
lest I be like those who go down to the pit.

Psa 143:8

Psa 143:8Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.

Psa 143:9

Psa 143:9Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD!
I have fled to you for refuge.[fn]

Psa 143:10

Psa 143:10Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God!
Let your good Spirit lead me
on level ground!

Psa 143:11

Psa 143:11For your name’s sake, O LORD, preserve my life!
In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!

Psa 143:12

Psa 143:12And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies,
and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul,
for I am your servant.

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ESV Footnotes

(143:9)

One Hebrew manuscript, Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts To you I have covered

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For more information on this translation, see the ESV Preface.