4 I looked on my right hand, and behold, but there was no man that would know me; refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
5 I cried unto thee, O Lord; I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
6 Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low; deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name; the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.
Psalms 143 Intro: Faith strengthened by meditation and prayer. (A Psalm of David.)
1 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 long been 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.
