Psalms 143

Teach Me to Do Your Will

1 Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. Faith: Psalms 31:1, 1 John 1:9. References Lord: Psalms 140:6, 2 Samuel 7:25. Righteousness: Psalms 71:2, Daniel 9:16

2 And enter not into judgmentJudgment: מִשְׁפָּט (Mishpat). The Hebrew mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט) means judgment or justice—God's righteous decisions and ordinances. God is the Judge of all the earth who 'shall do right' (Genesis 18:25), executing perfect justice. with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. Judgment: Job 14:3. Righteousness: Job 4:17, 15:14, 25:4, Ecclesiastes 7:20, Romans 3:20, Galatians 2:16. Parallel theme: Psalms 130:3, Exodus 34:7, 1 John 1:10 +5

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. Darkness: Lamentations 3:6. Parallel theme: Psalms 7:5, 35:4, 54:3, 142:6, 2 Samuel 2:22, 18:11, Ezekiel 37:11 +3

4 Therefore is my spiritSpirit: רוּחַ (Ruach). The Hebrew ruach (רוּחַ) means spirit, wind, or breath—invisible but powerful. It describes both the Holy Spirit and the human spirit. God's Spirit gives life and empowers His people. overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. Spirit: Psalms 77:3, 142:3. Parallel theme: Luke 22:44

5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. Parallel theme: Micah 6:5

6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah. Parallel theme: Psalms 44:20, 63:1, 84:2, 88:9, Job 11:13, Isaiah 35:7, John 7:37 +2

7 Hear me speedily, O LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty.: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. References Lord: Psalms 28:1, 40:17, Isaiah 8:17. Spirit: Isaiah 57:16. Parallel theme: Psalms 27:9, 69:3, 69:17, 71:12, 102:2, Isaiah 38:18 +5

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. Parallel theme: Psalms 27:11, 30:5, 32:8, 46:5, 59:16, 86:4, 90:14, 143:10, Isaiah 30:21, 48:17 +5

9 Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. References Lord: Psalms 142:5, Proverbs 18:10. Parallel theme: Psalms 31:15, 56:9, 59:1

10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spiritSpirit: רוּחַ (Ruach). The Hebrew ruach (רוּחַ) means spirit, wind, or breath—invisible but powerful. It describes both the Holy Spirit and the human spirit. God's Spirit gives life and empowers His people. is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. References God: Psalms 31:14, 140:6. Spirit: Nehemiah 9:20, John 14:26, Romans 15:13, 2 Timothy 1:7. Good: Hebrews 13:21. Parallel theme: Psalms 23:3, 119:12, 1 John 2:27 +5

11 Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble. References Lord: Psalms 25:11, Habakkuk 3:2. Righteousness: Psalms 31:1, 34:19, 71:2. Parallel theme: Psalms 85:6, 119:25, 119:37, 119:88, 138:7 +5

12 And of thy mercyMercy: רַחֲמִים (Rachamim). The Hebrew rachamim (רַחֲמִים) derives from 'womb' (rechem), suggesting tender, maternal compassion. God's mercies are 'new every morning' (Lamentations 3:23), showing His compassionate nature. cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant. Parallel theme: Psalms 52:5, 54:5, 55:23, 116:16, 119:94, 1 Samuel 25:29, 26:10 +2