Psalm 143:1-12
Teach Me to Do Your Will
1A Psalm of David. O LORD, hear my prayer. In Your faithfulness, give ear to my plea; in Your righteousness, answer me.
2Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous before You.
3For the enemy has pursued my soul, crushing my life to the ground, making me dwell in darkness like those long since dead.
4My spirit grows faint within me; my heart is dismayed inside me.
5I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I consider the work of Your hands.
6I stretch out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land. Selah
7Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide Your face from me, or I will be like those who descend to the Pit.
8Let me hear Your loving devotion in the morning, for I have put my trust in You. Teach me the way I should walk, for to You I lift up my soul.
9Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD; I flee to You for refuge.
10Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
11For the sake of Your name, O LORD, revive me. In Your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble.
12And in Your loving devotion, cut off my enemies. Destroy all who afflict me, for I am Your servant.
Berean Standard Bible
David asks God to hear his prayer in faithfulness and righteousness but not to bring him into judgment, because no one living is righteous before God. The enemy pursues him, crushes his life, and makes him dwell in darkness like those long dead.
David remembers ancient days and meditates on God's works. His soul thirsts for God like a parched land. He asks for a morning word of God's loving devotion, guidance on the path, rescue from enemies, and teaching to do God's will.
He asks for God's good Spirit to lead him on level ground. The final request is for the destruction of enemies and the preservation of God's servant, because David is God's servant.
Questions
1 What does David admit about humanity?
AnswerHe admits that no one living is righteous enough to stand before God in judgment.
2 What does David remember?
AnswerHe remembers ancient days and meditates on God's works while his soul thirsts.
3 What does he ask for in the morning?
AnswerHe asks to hear God's loving devotion and receive guidance for the path.
4 Who should lead him?
AnswerGod's good Spirit should lead him on level ground and teach him to do God's will.
What This Means for Us
The prayer begins with humility before it asks for guidance. We can seek justice while admitting that we also need mercy.
Morning guidance is more than a request for a successful schedule. Ask what doing God's will requires of your character and relationships today.
Prayer
Faithful God, hear people crushed by enemies and darkness. Give morning guidance, lead us on level ground, and teach us to do Your will with humility and courage. Amen.