Psalm 143

Authorship

This Psalm was authored by David.

Outline

(This began as Wendland's Expository Outline, but may be adapted.)

I. Answer me. (1)

A. Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications.

B. In Thy faithfulness answer me, and in Thy righteousness.

II. Aid me because: (2-4)

A. I am doomed with you: Enter not into judgment with Thy servant: for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified.

B. My security is destroyed:

1. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul.

2. He hath smitten my life down to the ground.

3. He hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.

C. My spirit is desolate: Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.

III. Remind me. (5)

A. I remember the days of old.

B. I meditate on all Thy works.

C. I muse on the work of Thy hands.

IV. Receive me. (6)

A. I stretch forth my hands unto Thee.

B. My soul thirsteth after Thee, as in a thirsty land. Selah.

V. Hear me. (7)

A. Hear me speedily, O Lord.

B. My spirit faileth.

C. Hide not Thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.

VI. Cause me. (8)

A. Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in Thee do I trust.

B. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto Thee.

VII. Deliver me: O Lord, from mine enemies. (9)

VIII. Hide me: From my enemies. (9)

A. I flee unto Thee to hide me.

IX. Teach me. (10)

A. Teach me to do Thy will.

B. For Thou art my God.

C. Thy Spirit is good.

X. Lead me. (10)

A. Lead me into the land of uprightness.

XI. Quicken me. (11)

A. Quicken me, O Lord, for Thy name's sake

XII. Bring me out. (11-12)

A. For Thy righteousness' sake, bring my soul out of trouble.

B. In Thy mercy cut off mine enemies.

C. Destroy all them that afflict my soul.

D. For I am thy servant.

Textual Criticism

The following is from Barthélemy's Critique textuelle de l’Ancien Testament volume on the Psalms. For a key to the various symbols and abbreviations, click here.

Ps 143,10 בְּאֶרֶץ {B} MT, G, σ', Hebr, S, T // assim 27,11: m בארח / assim vs 8: m בדרך