A prayer of absolute dependence on Gods loyal love.

The words of this Psalm is the language of someone who is completely dependent on God. He is troubled by his own sin, so he can’t trust in himself. He is troubled by enemies all around him so he can’t trust in man. “God either you come through for me, or I am going down. He relies on Gods loyal love to him.

Psalm 143:1 LEB

O Yahweh, hear my prayer; listen to my supplications. In your faithfulness answer me, and in your righteousness.

Note that he is relying on Gods faithfulness and righteousness. He is leaning on the Lord.

Psalm 143:2 ESV

Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you.

Psalm 130:3 ESV

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?

1 Kings 8:46 ESV

“If they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you are angry with them and give them to an enemy, so that they are carried away captive to the land of the enemy, far off or near,

Job 9:2 ESV

“Truly I know that it is so: But how can a man be in the right before God?

Job 15:14 ESV

What is man, that he can be pure? Or he who is born of a woman, that he can be righteous?

Ecclesiastes 7:20 ESV

Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.

Romans 3:23 ESV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 3:24 LEB

being justified as a gift by his grace, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus,

The true nature of prayer is an indispensable lifeline in our relationship with God. Through prayer we are learning to lean on His loyal love, which sustains us through even the darkest moments.

Psalm 143:3 LEB

For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground. He has made me dwell in dark places like those long dead.

Psalm 143:4 LEB

And so my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is desolate.

Psalm 143:5 LEB

I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your doings. I muse on the labor of your hands.

When we feel overwhelmed by the trials of life, turning to God in honest prayer opens the door to experiencing His loyal love and guidance.

Remembering God's Record

David recalls past experiences of God's faithfulness to renew his faith. By meditating on God’s past deeds, David realigns his focus from his troubles to God's loyal love.

Psalm 143:6 LEB

I stretch out my hands to you; my soul longs for you like a dry land. Selah

Psalm 143:7 LEB

Quickly answer me, O Yahweh; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me, or I will become like those descending to the pit.

Psalm 143:8 LEB

Cause me to hear your loyal love in the morning, for I trust you. Cause me to know the way that I should go, for I lift up my soul to you.

Psalm 143:9 LEB

Deliver me from my enemies, O Yahweh. I take refuge in you.

Psalm 143:10 LEB

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; your Spirit is good. Lead me onto level ground.

Psalm 143:11 ESV

For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!

Psalm 143:12 LEB

And in your loyal love destroy my enemies, and exterminate all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant.

God loves us; not because we are loveable but because he is love; not because he needs to receive but because he delights to give.C. S. Lewis

Complete weakness and dependence will always be the occasion for the Spirit of God to manifest His power.Oswald Chambers (Lecturer and Missionary)