Let us look at Psalms 143 today
Psalms 143:1-12 (KJV)
1 A Psalm of David. Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
[David is asking GOD to hear and answer his prayer because the LORD GOD is faithful even when we are faithless “2 Timothy 2:13 (KJV) If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” And because the LORD is righteous. Because of who GOD we can expect GOD to hear our prayer and not ignore when we cry out to Him. No that we know He hears our prayer we need to understand that the answer might not be what we expect.]
2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
[As part of Davids prayer he is asking GOD to forgive his sins. David knows that no one but GOD is righteous and no person can justify themself before GOD. “Romans 3:10-12 (KJV) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” Therefore we come to GOD not by our own merit but through His mercy and grace. It is because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross can we come to Him. We need to humble ourself before Him.]
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.
4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
[The reason David prayed this time was that he is totally overwhelmed because he was being persecuted. In times when we are overwhelmed we can cry out to GOD “Psalms 61:2 (KJV) From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”. Let us not only pray when we are in trouble but let us call on Him every day not just for ourself but for our family, our bothers and sisters in the faith, our neighbours.]
5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.
[David remembers what he used to do. Let us meditate on what the LORD has done, His word, His works in our life and share with thousands around us. Now He has come to a place were he thirsts for the LORD again. Let us hunger thirst for the LORD too for He promised “Matthew 5:6 (KJV) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”]
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.
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.
9 Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
[David is desperate for a quick answer and closeness to GOD as he is at his end. He wants to hear from GOD. He needs the LORD’s guidance, deliverance and protection. Let us be sure and fully trust in the LORD because the LORD our GOD will answer with love and kindness. He is the one Who will lead and guide us. He is our deliver and our shelter.]
10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
[David knows that knowing the LORD’s will for our life is not enough. We actually need to be doers of the word. Therefore He is asking the LORD to teach him to be obedient obedient and do what the LORD showed him. Let us follow Davids example and ask the LORD for help and strength to do His will in our life just as Jesus did in the garden “Luke 22:42 (KJV) Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” It is not by our might or strength but He has sent His Holy Spirit to help us.]
11 Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
12 And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.
[David need to be revived, delivered out of trouble and from His enemies. When we realise that we are not as zealous for the LORD as we used to be, that our intimacy with the LORD is lacking lets us remember how it was before and ask the LORD to revive us and restore. These things can happen because of distractions, trouble, persecution, etc.. but, next time, let not these things rob us from our relationship with the LORD but rather encourage us to daw closer to Him. Let us be assured the LORD will hear our prayers. Let us put it full trust in Him and let Him revive us. Knowing that the LORD will do it not because of who we are but who GOD is.]