"Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications! In Your faithfulness answer me, and in Your righteousness" (Psalm 143:1).
Dear Praying Friends:
David knew that in God’s sight, he was not righteous. His enemy persecuted his soul and crushed his life into the ground. He felt that he was dwelling in darkness. His spirit was overwhelmed within him, and his heart was deeply troubled. He longed for God like a thirsty land, but God seemed to have hidden his face (Psalm 143:2-7).
So, he prayed to God not to judge him. He remembered the old days when God had answered his prayers, and begged for the LORD to speak words of lovingkindness to him, to lead and guide him, to deliver him, to teach him, to lead him, to revive him, to bring his soul out of trouble, and to destroy all his enemies (Psalm 143:1-2, 7-12).
In faith, he appealed to God’s faithfulness, righteousness, lovingkindness, goodness, mercy, and commitment to his own reputation and glory. He reminded God that he was the Lord’s servant, and that he was utterly needy and dependent upon him for everything.
Like all the psalms, this one points directly to Christ in his earthly suffering and trust in the LORD, revealing to us the heart of our Lord Jesus and reminding us that he knows that we, too, often feel “overwhelmed and distressed.” We are not alone!
Yours in the one who hears our prayers (Psalm 143:1),
Wright