Psalms 143

12 verses

TL;DR

The psalmist earnestly cries out to God, expressing distress under persecution while affirming trust and seeking deliverance and guidance.

Summary

In Psalm 143 the speaker petitions God for mercy, pleading that God will not judge him harshly and that He will listen to his supplications. He laments being beset by enemies, feeling oppressed and desolate. The psalmist recalls God's past faithfulness and longs for divine presence, describing his soul as thirsty for God. He begs for swift response, protection from darkness, and a sense of direction toward righteousness. The prayer culminates with a plea for deliverance from enemies and an affirmation of devotion to God. Throughout, the psalm balances lament with hopeful trust in God's steadfast love.

Outline

Lament of distress and plea for divine hearing
Reflection on God’s faithfulness and personal longing
Culminating request for deliverance, guidance, and steadfast trust

Themes

Lament and petitionFaithfulness and trust in GodDeliverance from enemies

Keywords

PrayerDeliveranceRighteousnessFaithfulnessEnemysMercyTrust

People

LORDEnemyPsalmist (servant of God)

Places

Things

thirsty landdarknesspitmorningname of Godrighteousnessland of uprightness

Key Verses

Psalms 143:1: Introduces the earnest appeal and sets the tone of pleading for divine attention.
Psalms 143:7: Highlights the speaker’s urgency and fear of divine abandonment, a pivotal emotional moment.
Psalms 143:10: Transitions to a request for guidance, emphasizing reliance on God’s will and moral direction.

Questions

What does the psalmist mean by ‘enter not into judgment’ and how does this reflect his view of divine justice?
How does the imagery of a ‘thirsty land’ enhance our understanding of the psalmist’s longing?
In what ways does the psalm balance lament with hope, and what can this teach us about coping with persecution?

Sentiment

mixed
The psalm expresses deep sorrow and fear but also hopeful trust and affirmation of God’s faithfulness.