David, a constant author of many of the Psalms, writes Psalm 143 as a prayer in the midst of hopelessness and depression. This psalm shares with us that our prayers should fit into what we know is consistent with God's character and plans.
Psalm 143:7 - "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 was losing hope, caught in paralyzing fear and deep depression. At times, we too feel caught in deepening depression and we are unable to pull ourselves out. At those times, we can come to the Lord and, like David, express our true feelings.
Then he will help us as we ...
Remember his works (143:5 - "I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done")
Reach out to him in prayer (143:6 - "I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land")
Trust him (143:8 - "Let the morning bring 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")
And then decide to do his will (143:10 - "Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground").
Psalm 143 / New International Version
ReplyDelete1 O Lord, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
come to my relief.
2 Do not bring your servant into judgment,
for no one living is righteous before you.
3 The enemy pursues me,
he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in darkness
like those long dead.
4 So my spirit grows faint within me;
my heart within me is dismayed.
5 I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works
and consider what your hands have done.
6 I spread out my hands to you;
my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.
7 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.
8 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.
9 Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord,
for I hide myself in you.
10 Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.
11 For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life;
in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
destroy all my foes,
for I am your servant.