Psalm One Hundred and Forty Three
by Dr. Henry M. Morris
(taken from the Defender's Study Bible)
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A Psalm of David.
Psalm 143:1 Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
Psalm 143:2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
no man living. No man is good enough to earn salvation by his own merits (e.g., Romans 3:10, 23). Anyone who would be saved must come only through faith in Christ, “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24; see also Romans 5:1; etc.).
Psalm 143:3 For 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.
Psalm 143:4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
Psalm 143:5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
meditate on all thy works. An excellent antidote for an overwhelmed spirit and desolate heart (Psalm 143:4) is to meditate on all the wonderful works of God in creation and in “the days of old.”
Psalm 143:6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah
Psalm 143:7 Hear 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.
Psalm 143:8 Cause 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.
Psalm 143:9 Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
Psalm 143:10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
Teach me to do thy will. There can be no greater goal or prayer request than to know and do the will of God (Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 1:9).
Psalm 143:11 Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.
Psalm 143:12 And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.
