시편 Chapter 143

Translation: ESV

1

Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!

Key Message

The basis of prayer is not one's own worthiness but God's faithfulness and righteousness.

▸This is the last of the seven penitential psalms.

This is the last of the seven penitential psalms. 'In your faithfulness and righteousness (be'emunatkha uvetsidhqatkha)'—prayer grounded not in one's own worthiness but in God's attributes. Appealing to God's faithfulness and righteousness is the proper basis of prayer.

Related Verses

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
2

Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you.

Key Message

No human is completely righteous before God, and this confession is the beginning of prayer seeking grace.

▸This confesses the fundamental sinfulness of humanity.

5

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.

Key Message

Remembering and meditating on God's past acts in the midst of crisis strengthens present faith.

▸In the midst of present crisis, the past acts of God are remembered.

8

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

Key Message

Hearing God's steadfast love in the morning and seeking the way to go is the beginning of a life of faith.

▸A morning prayer—let me hear of your steadfast love, make me know the way I should go.

10

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

Key Message

God's good Spirit leads us in the right path—an Old Testament confession of the Spirit's guidance.

▸This is one of the rare references to 'your good Spirit (ruchakha tovah)' in the Old Testament.