Psalm 143 is the 143rd psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Hear my prayer, O LORD". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint version of the Bible, and the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 142. In Latin, it is known as "Domine exaudi orationem meam". It is part of the final Davidic collection of psalms, comprising Psalms 138 to 145, which are specifically attributed to David in their opening verses. It is one of the seven Penitential Psalms. The New King James Version calls it "An Earnest Appeal for Guidance and Deliverance".: NKJV The psalm has two equal sections, verses 1-6 and 7-12, separated by a Selah.Kirkpatrick, A.,Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges on Psalm 143, accessed 2 July 2022

The psalm is used as a regular part of Jewish, Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican and other Protestant liturgies; it has been set to music.

Theme One of the Penitential Psalms, it is a prayer to be delivered from the psalmist's enemies.United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Psalm 143, note in the New American Bible, accessed 2 July 2022 It takes the form of a King's prayer for victory and peace. According to Augustine of Hippo this psalm was likely written during the period of the rebellion of David's son Absalom.Augustine, "Exposition on Psalm 143", Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 8. (Translated by J.E. Tweed) Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1888.

Uses New Testament Verse 2b is quoted in Romans .

Jewish Verse 2 is found in the repetition of the Amidah during Rosh Hashanah.The Complete Artscroll Machzor for Rosh Hashanah, p. 367

Catholic Church In the Benedictine tradition, Benedict of Nursia selected the psalm to be sung on Saturdays at the Office for Lauds (Chapter XIII) after Psalm 51.Traduction par Prosper Guéranger, p. 41, Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Solesmes, réimpression 2007 A number of monasteries still preserve this tradition.Psautier latin-français du bréviaire monastique

Psalm 143 is recited on the fourth Thursday of the four weekly cycles of liturgical prayers at Lauds (Morning Prayer) in the Liturgy of the Hours, and every Tuesday night at compline (night prayer).

Eastern Orthodox Church This psalm is read at every Orthros, Paraklesis, salutations to the Virgin Mary, and Holy Unction service.

Coptic Orthodox Church In the Agpeya, the Coptic Church's book of hours, this psalm is prayed in the office of Prime.

Book of Common Prayer In the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer, this psalm is appointed to be read on the evening of the 29th day of the month,Church of England, Book of Common Prayer: The Psalter as printed by John Baskerville in 1762, pp. 304-305 as well as at Evensong on Ash Wednesday.

Musical settings Heinrich Schütz composed a metred paraphrase of Psalm 143 in German, "Herr, mein Gebet erhör in Gnad", SWV 248, for the Becker Psalter, published first in 1628.

Alan Hovhaness set verses 1 and 5 in his 1936 work Hear my prayer, O Lord.

Text The following table shows the Hebrew text of the Psalm with vowels, alongside the Koine Greek text in the Septuagint and the English translation from the King James Version. Note that the meaning can slightly differ between these versions, as the Septuagint and the Masoretic Text come from different textual traditions.A 1917 translation directly from Hebrew to English by the Jewish Publication Society can be found here or here, and an 1844 translation directly from the Septuagint by L. C. L. Brenton can be found here. Both translations are in the public domain. In the Septuagint, this psalm is numbered Psalm 142. #HebrewEnglishGreek 1 (A Psalm of David.) Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. 2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. 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. 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. 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. 10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. 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. Verse 11 "Revive me, O Lord, for Your name’s sake! For Your righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.": NKJV

Father Stavros Akrotirianakis points out that in most English translations, verse 11 reads "in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble",The New International Version at is an example whereas the reading in Greek is "in your righteousness bring out of trouble my soul". This then affects the reading of verse 12. "This verse asks God specifically to destroy those who afflict our souls, not our lives."Akrotirianakis, Stavros, Psalm 143, Orthodox Christian Network, published 2 March 2021, accessed 2 July 2022 Alexander Kirkpatrick notes that the verbs "revive" and "bring" should be read as future statements based on confidence in God, rather than as imperatives.

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External links

in Hebrew and English - Mechon-mamre Text of Psalm 143 according to the 1928 Psalter A psalm of David. / LORD, hear my prayer Text and footnotes, usccb.org United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Psalm 143 – Hope for the Persecuted Soul text and detailed commentary, enduringword.com Psalm 143:1 introduction and text, biblestudytools.com Psalm 143 / Show me, O Lord, the way that I should walk in. Church of England Psalm 143 at biblegateway.com Hymns for Psalm 143 Hymnary.org