Psalm 143 — A Faithful and Righteous Answer
Introduction: The inscription in the KJV attributes this psalm to King David, as do the inscriptions among those in the consecutive series of psalms from 138 through 145. This psalm gives insight to a time when David needed comfort from the Lord as his own spirit was very low because of serious threats to his very life from enemies that he does not specifically identify as he writes out his prayer to the Lord. This psalm can help each Christian be more aware that answers to prayer are based upon the Lord’s own faithfulness and righteousness.
NOTE: Scripture passages are from the American King James Version.
A — Hear and Answer My Prayer
Psalm 143 “1 Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in your faithfulness answer me, and in your righteousness. 2 And enter not into judgment with your servant: for in your sight shall no man living be justified.”
Comments: David brings his request as he cries out before the Lord, and asks for an answer, while very much aware that the response will be based on the faithfulness and righteousness of the LORD God. David wants the Lord to know that he realizes he has no righteousness in himself, so his request is for mercy. By the statement “in your sight shall no man living be justified” David gives one of the scriptural affirmations that all have sinned and there is none righteous in themselves. Psalm 130:3–4 “If you, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with you, that you may be feared.” Ecclesiastes 7:20 “For there is not a just man on earth, that does good, and sins not.” Galatians 3:11 “The just shall live by faith.”
B — The Enemy Has Persecuted My Soul
Psalm 143 “3 For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has smitten my life down to the ground; he has made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead. 4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. 5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all your works; I muse on the work of your hands. 6 I stretch forth my hands to you: my soul thirsts after you, as a thirsty land. Selah.”
Comments: The desperate condition that causes David to cry out to the Lord is not just based on physical threat, for he is beginning to despair in both soul and spirit. David admits that his spirit within him is overwhelmed, and his heart is desolate. For David, before the persecution by Saul began, his heart was full of desire for the Lord, and he acted with boldness and great confidence. Now David wants to turn his thoughts to remember the days of old that go far beyond just the length of his own life, and to meditate on all the works of the Lord. Psalm 119:52 “I remembered your judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.” David turned his attention to reflect at length on the marvelous work of the Lord’s hands. Then his response is to reach out his hands to the Lord, as his soul thirsts for him, as a dry land has great need for refreshing moisture before it becomes so parched that it is devoid of life.
C — Hear Me Quickly Before My Spirit Fails
Psalm 143 “7 Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit fails: hide not your face from me, lest I be like to them that go down into the pit. 8 Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning; for in you do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul to you.”
Comments: David is becoming increasingly desperate for an answer from the Lord as he asks that his plea be heard speedily. He had earlier said that the enemy had driven him to the ground with heavy blows of affliction, but now his spirit is so depleted he feels like he will go even further down into a pit. Having begun the process of reviewing all the greatness of his God, he is now beginning to pray that the Lord will cause him to hear the Lord’s loving kindness in the morning because he does trust in him. David wants to have refreshment for his spirit, and clear direction as he lifts up his soul to the Lord.
D — Lord, Deliver Me for Your Righteousness’ Sake
Psalm 143 “9 Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies: I flee to you to hide me. 10 Teach me to do your will; for you are my God: your spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. 11 Quicken me, O LORD, for your name’s sake: for your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble. 12 And of your mercy cut off my enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am your servant.”
Comments: David has brought himself to the point of directly asking the Lord to deliver him from his enemies — not by victorious battle by David, but rather he says he is fleeing that the Lord will hide him. David further asks that he be taught to do the Lord’s will, as he proclaims that the Lord is his God! David asks the Lord to make him alive, and to do it for the sake of the Lord’s name. His desire is to have his soul brought out of trouble to demonstrate the benefit of the Lord’s righteousness. Psalm 71:20 “You, which have showed me great and sore troubles, shall quicken me again, and shall bring me up again from the depths of the earth.” Psalm 119:50 “This is my comfort in my affliction: for your word has quickened me.” Job 19:25–26 “For I know that my redeemer lives, and that he shall stand at the latter day on the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” John 6:63 “The words that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life.” Romans 8:11 “He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you.” David confesses to the Lord that he is but a servant of the most high God, and will accept the mercy shown to a dependent servant.
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, when I come to you in prayer for relief from an oppressive circumstance or situation in my life, may I first remember that you could not even hear me if my own righteousness was to be considered. If my spirit is overwhelmed in me and my heart seems desolate, guide my thoughts to all that you have done from the beginning of creation, that I might consider at length all the works of your hands. May I then refresh in my mind the past grace you have shown to me as I stretch forth my hands to you truly because my soul thirsts after you, as a thirsty land desperately needs renewing moisture. Answer me quickly Lord, at such a time in my life, as my soul seems near the point of failing, so I will not be like those who have no hope. May I hear your loving kindness in the morning as I have placed my complete trust in you. Cause me then to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul to you. Deliver me Lord from that which is not pleasing to you, as I flee to you to escape evil in the world. Teach me to do your will; for you are my God: your spirit is good and gracious to lead me into the land of your righteousness. Revive my weakened spirit, O LORD, for your name’s sake: for your righteousness’ sake I trust you to bring my soul out of trouble. I praise you Lord for your faithful and righteous answer in my time of need! Amen.
Published 14 July 2012