Psalm 143 - David's Version & Kim's Response
It had been a dry spell about a month ago - a short period of not feeling the presence of God. Oh, I know he was there and I was seeking, but I felt bombarded by the arrows of the enemy. And God, in his faithfulness, speaks to me one morning through Psalm 143. I couldn't help but weep. It was as if David had written this for me - my thoughts, my struggles were penned by the words he wrote so long ago. Have you been there? Do you know that desperation? (In case it isn't obvious, my words are in CAPS)
O Lord, hear my prayer, HELP ME GOD
listen to my cry for mercy; I KNOW I DON'T DESERVE YOUR MERCY
in your faithfulness and righteousness THIS IS WHO YOU ARE
come to my relief. YOU ARE MY DELIVERER
Do not bring your servant into judgment, THOUGH I SO DESERVE IT
for no one living is righteous before you. NOT EVEN ONE WHO LOOKS MOST RIGHTEOUS
The enemy pursues me, HE IS RELENTLESS
he crushes me to the ground; I AM PRESSED, SQUEEZED, OVERWHELMED
he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead. IT IS DARK WITHOUT YOUR LIGHT
So my spirit grows faint within me; I HAVE NO HOPE IN MY ABILITY
my heart within me is dismayed. DEEP WITHIN, THERE IS NO COURAGE TO GO ON
I remember the days of long ago; YOU ARE ALWAYS THERE
I meditate on all your works YOU ALONE SUPPLY ALL I NEED
and consider what your hands have done. YOU ARE GREAT AND MIGHTY
I spread out my hands to you; I YIELD TO YOU
my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. NOTHING ON EARTH WILL SATISFY ME
Answer me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails. I NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU
Do not hide your face from me, LET ME SEE YOUR GLORY
or I will be like those who go down to the pit. I WILL HAVE NO HOPE
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORD
for I have put my trust in you. YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WORTHY OF MY TRUST
Show me the way I should go, YOU ORDER MY STEPS
for to you I lift up my soul. MY MIND, WILL & EMOTIONS ARE YOURS
Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, LIBERATE & REDEEM ME
for I hide myself in you. I AM UNDER THE SHADOW OF YOUR WINGS
Teach me to do your will, NOT MY WILL BUT YOURS BE DONE
for you are my God; HELP ME TO GIVE UP CONTROL - I WANT YOU AS LORD
may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. YOU ARE THE COMMANDER
For your name's sake, O Lord, preserve my life; SAVE ME FOR YOUR GLORY
in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. YOU ARE WITHOUT SIN - SAVE ME
In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; BY YOUR POWER SUPPRESS THE ENEMY
destroy all my foes, for I am your servant. REMOVE ANY HINDRANCE TO SERVING YOU WITH ALL THAT I AM
O Lord, hear my prayer, HELP ME GOD
listen to my cry for mercy; I KNOW I DON'T DESERVE YOUR MERCY
in your faithfulness and righteousness THIS IS WHO YOU ARE
come to my relief. YOU ARE MY DELIVERER
Do not bring your servant into judgment, THOUGH I SO DESERVE IT
for no one living is righteous before you. NOT EVEN ONE WHO LOOKS MOST RIGHTEOUS
The enemy pursues me, HE IS RELENTLESS
he crushes me to the ground; I AM PRESSED, SQUEEZED, OVERWHELMED
he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead. IT IS DARK WITHOUT YOUR LIGHT
So my spirit grows faint within me; I HAVE NO HOPE IN MY ABILITY
my heart within me is dismayed. DEEP WITHIN, THERE IS NO COURAGE TO GO ON
I remember the days of long ago; YOU ARE ALWAYS THERE
I meditate on all your works YOU ALONE SUPPLY ALL I NEED
and consider what your hands have done. YOU ARE GREAT AND MIGHTY
I spread out my hands to you; I YIELD TO YOU
my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. NOTHING ON EARTH WILL SATISFY ME
Answer me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails. I NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU
Do not hide your face from me, LET ME SEE YOUR GLORY
or I will be like those who go down to the pit. I WILL HAVE NO HOPE
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORD
for I have put my trust in you. YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WORTHY OF MY TRUST
Show me the way I should go, YOU ORDER MY STEPS
for to you I lift up my soul. MY MIND, WILL & EMOTIONS ARE YOURS
Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, LIBERATE & REDEEM ME
for I hide myself in you. I AM UNDER THE SHADOW OF YOUR WINGS
Teach me to do your will, NOT MY WILL BUT YOURS BE DONE
for you are my God; HELP ME TO GIVE UP CONTROL - I WANT YOU AS LORD
may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. YOU ARE THE COMMANDER
For your name's sake, O Lord, preserve my life; SAVE ME FOR YOUR GLORY
in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. YOU ARE WITHOUT SIN - SAVE ME
In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; BY YOUR POWER SUPPRESS THE ENEMY
destroy all my foes, for I am your servant. REMOVE ANY HINDRANCE TO SERVING YOU WITH ALL THAT I AM
