So far as human situation is concerned, This Psalm is a cry of despair, and a terrible one indeed. The life is smitten, the spirit is overwhelmed, and the whole complaint ends with a statement, "My heart within me is desolate." That final word "desolate" has in it the sob of an unillumined sea. Yet the Psalm opens with an earnest cry to God, and after the declaration of need, it to the end a determined act of faith.
In the situation of complete helplessness the soul prepares for its prayer, and the words which indicate the method of preparation are interesting. "I remember ... I meditate ... I muse." The issue of this is immediately declared, "I spread forth my hands unto Thee." The earnestness of the soul is manifested in the urgent petitions which follow. "Make haste ... hide not Thy face ... cause me to hear ... cause me to know ... deliver me ... teach me ... quicken me."
Personal consecration in this endeavour to lay hold upon the infinite resource is manifest in the affirmations. "In Thee do I trust ... I life up my soul unto Thee ... I flee unto Thee to hide me," and finally “I am Thy servant.” Through all the urgency and the earnestness there is also manifest an unshaken confidence. "Thou art my God" is the central word around which all the others gather.
A Psalm of David. Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
Psalms 143:2
And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
Psalms 143:3
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.
Psalms 143:4
Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
Psalms 143:5
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
Psalms 143:6
I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.
Psalms 143:7
Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
Psalms 143:8
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.
Psalms 143:9
Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
Psalms 143:10
Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
Psalms 143:11
Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.
Psalms 143:12
And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.
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