Psalm 143, Mercy and Safety

A psalm of David.

In this psalm David makes a standard supplication, longing for God, seeking mercy and safety.

Psalm 143:1-2, Mercy not judgment

  O LORD, hear my prayer, 

listen to my cry for mercy; 

in your faithfulness and righteousness 

come to my relief.

 Do not bring your servant into judgment, 

for no one living is righteous before you.

This psalm has been marked as a penitential psalm (says Kidner, along with 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, and 130) but this last line, admitting that no living being is righteous before God, is the only indication of a need for mercy and repentance. The rest of the psalm is supplication, a request for YHWH love and protection.

C. S. Lewis says that we all ask for justice, but what we really need is mercy. David asks for mercy here, over justice and judgment.

Psalm 143:3-4, Crushed, in darkness

 The enemy pursues me, 

he crushes me to the ground; 

he makes me dwell in darkness 

like those long dead.

 So my spirit grows faint within me; 

my heart within me is dismayed.

David is thrown down, crushed, lying in darkness, faint with despair. 

The last half of verse 3 is repeated in Lamentations 3:6.

Psalm 143:5-6, Thirsty land

I remember the days of long ago; 

I meditate on all your works 

and consider what your hands have done.

I spread out my hands to you; 

my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.

Selah.

David remembers good days of the past and, meditating on God's past actions, spreads out his hands before God. As one longing for rain in the thirsty desert, so David longs for God. (See also 42:1.)

Psalm 143:7, Please don't hide

Answer me quickly, O LORD; 

my spirit fails. 

Do not hide your face from me 

or I will be like those who go down to the pit.

David begs for an answer; he begs for YHWH to not hide from him.

The "pit" (also in 28:1) is Sheol, the place of the dead.

Psalm 143:8-9, In the morning

 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, 

for I have put my trust in you. 

Show me the way I should go, 

for to you I lift up my soul.

 Rescue me from my enemies, 

O LORD, for I hide myself in you.

The morning will come. In the darkness before dawn, David declares his commitment to God. In three parallel statements, David repeats his need to be lifted up.

Psalm 143:10, Lead me to level ground

 Teach me to do your will, 

for you are my God; 

may your good Spirit lead me 

on level ground.

God's ways are straight and level.

Psalm 143:11-12, Servant and safety

 For your name's sake, O LORD,

 preserve my life;

 in your righteousness, 

bring me out of trouble.

 In your unfailing love, 

silence my enemies; 

destroy all my foes, 

for I am your servant.

The psalm ends with a declaration of both commitment and safety. The first three sets of parallel lines express commitment and then a request for safety and victory; the last set reverses the request, beginning with victory over his enemies and ending with commitment to God.

First published November 28, 2025; updated November 28, 2025