Psalms
Chapter 143
This is a prayer for help from someone whose enemy has hunted him down and left him worn out and afraid. He asks God not to judge him, remembers what God has done in the past, and begs for an answer before his strength runs out. He asks to be taught the right way to live and to be rescued from the people attacking him.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
1LORD, listen to my prayer. Pay attention to my begging. You keep your promises and you do what is right, so answer me.
2And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
2Please do not put me on trial. No one alive could be found innocent in front of you.
3For 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.
3My enemy has hunted me down. He has knocked my life to the ground. He keeps me in the dark, like people who died long ago.
4Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
4So my spirit is worn out inside me. My heart feels empty.
5I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
5I think about the days long past. I go over everything you have done. I think hard about the things you made.
6I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.
6I reach my hands out to you. I am thirsty for you, like dry ground with no rain. Selah.
"Selah" is a Hebrew word left untranslated. Nobody is certain what it meant. It may have been a musical direction, like a pause.
7Hear 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.
7Answer me quickly, LORD. My strength is running out. Do not turn your face away, or I will be like those who go down into the grave.
8Cause 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.
8In the morning, let me hear about your faithful love, because I trust you. Show me the way I should go, because I lift up my whole self to you.
9Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
9Save me from my enemies, LORD. I run to you to keep me safe.
10Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
10Teach me to do what you want, because you are my God. Your Spirit is good. Lead me on level ground.
11Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
11Keep me alive, LORD, for the honor of your name. You do what is right, so bring me out of trouble.
"Quicken" in 1611 English meant to make alive or bring back to life, not to speed up.
12And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.
12Because you love me, cut off my enemies. Destroy everyone who hurts me, because I serve you.
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