The big picture
Psalms 143 opens in verse 1 with “Hear my prayer, O LORD , give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 6 with “I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land…”, and closes in verse 12 with “And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I…” Repeated or prominent terms include soul, LORD, Hear, spirit, cause. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Psalms · King James Version · 12Psalms 143:1-6
1–6: Hear my prayer, O LORD , give ear to my supplications: in thy…
Psalms 143:1–6 opens with “Hear my prayer, O LORD , give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy…” and reaches “I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by hands, soul, within.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Hear my prayer, O LORD , give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.” Naming Hear keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Psalms 143:1-6
King James Version1Hear my prayer, O LORD , give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
2And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
3For 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.
4Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
5I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
6I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.
Psalms 143:7-12
7–12: Hear me speedily, O LORD : my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me…
Psalms 143:7–12 opens with “Hear me speedily, O LORD : my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto…” and reaches “And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by LORD, soul, cause.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Hear me speedily, O LORD : my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into…” Naming Hear keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Psalms 143:7-12
King James Version7Hear 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.
8Cause 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.
9Deliver me, O LORD , from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
10Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
11Quicken me, O LORD , for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
12And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Psalms 143:1 begins with “Hear my prayer, O LORD , give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.”
Where the chapter turns
Psalms 143:4 forms a natural hinge: “Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.”
The final note
Psalms 143:12 leaves the reader with “And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words soul, LORD, Hear, spirit, cause, enemies help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.