ScriptureDepth's study of Psalm 143
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.”
Psalms 143:10
The psalmist asks Yahweh to teach him His will, which sets in motion a plea for guidance in facing enemies and seeking deliverance.
What Psalm 143 is about
The psalmist starts with a cry for divine attention, asking Yahweh to hear his prayer and relieve him (vv. 1-2). He describes despair amidst pursuit, saying that his enemy chases him and brings him low, leaving him overwhelmed (vv. 3-4).
He then remembers days of old, meditating on God's works and expressing a deep longing for Him (vv. 5-6). The psalmist makes urgent pleas for guidance, asking Yahweh to answer quickly and not to hide His face (vv. 7-8). He requests deliverance from his enemies and seeks teaching to do God's will, affirming God's goodness and righteousness (vv. 9-11). Finally, he expresses dependence on Yahweh, asking Him to revive him and cut off his enemies because he is God's servant (v. 12).
The psalm leaves the reader with a sense of dependence on God's guidance and a plea for deliverance.
Psalm 143 at a glance
- Psalm 143:1–2A Cry for Divine Attention
- Psalm 143:3–4Despair Amidst Pursuit
- Psalm 143:5–6Remembrance and Longing
- Psalm 143:7–8Urgent Pleas for Guidance
- Psalm 143:9–11Request for Deliverance and Teaching
- Psalm 143:12Dependence and Faithfulness
Key verse: Psalms 143:10
One thing to notice
Yahweh is asked to 'Hear my prayer' in v. 1, and in v. 7, the psalmist pleads, 'Hurry to answer me, Yahweh.' This shift from a general request to urgency shows the psalmist's distress in the face of personal need.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Psalm 143 (WEB)
A Cry for Divine Attention Psalm 143:1–2
1Verse 1. Hear my prayer, Yahweh.Listen to my petitions.In your faithfulness and righteousness, relieve me.2Verse 2. Don’t enter into judgment with your servant,for in your sight no man living is righteous.
Despair Amidst Pursuit Psalm 143:3–4
3Verse 3. For the enemy pursues my soul.He has struck my life down to the ground.He has made me live in dark places, as those who have been long dead.4Verse 4. Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me.My heart within me is desolate.
Remembrance and Longing Psalm 143:5–6
5Verse 5. I remember the days of old.I meditate on all your doings.I contemplate the work of your hands.6Verse 6. I spread out my hands to you.My soul thirsts for you, like a parched land.Selah.
Urgent Pleas for Guidance Psalm 143:7–8
7Verse 7. Hurry to answer me, Yahweh.My spirit fails.Don’t hide your face from me,so that I don’t become like those who go down into the pit.8Verse 8. Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning,for I trust in you.Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,for I lift up my soul to you.
Request for Deliverance and Teaching Psalm 143:9–11
9Verse 9. Deliver me, Yahweh, from my enemies.I flee to you to hide me.10Verse 10. Teach me to do your will,for you are my God.Your Spirit is good.Lead me in the land of uprightness.11Verse 11. Revive me, Yahweh, for your name’s sake.In your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble.
Dependence and Faithfulness Psalm 143:12
12Verse 12. In your loving kindness, cut off my enemies,and destroy all those who afflict my soul,For I am your servant.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Psalm 143
faith in adversity
The psalmist articulates feelings of despair in vv. 3-4, expressing that 'the enemy pursues my soul' and 'my heart within me is desolate.' This prayer reveals the emotional turmoil experienced due to relentless threats. In the midst of such overwhelming adversity, the psalmist turns to God, demonstrating a faith that seeks divine intervention.
divine guidance
In vv. 8-10, the psalmist earnestly requests divine guidance, asking, 'Cause me to know the way in which I should walk' and 'Teach me to do your will.' These urgent pleas highlight a deep longing for direction and clarity amid confusion. The desire to follow God's will shows the psalmist's recognition of the need for divine leadership in life.
God's faithfulness
The psalmist's appeal in vv. 11-12 includes a request for revival, stating, 'Revive me, Yahweh, for your name’s sake.' Here, the psalmist acknowledges God's righteousness and is rooted in a trust that God will act according to His nature. This reliance on God's faithfulness is pivotal in the psalmist's plea for deliverance from distress.
prayer and supplication
Throughout the chapter, the psalmist earnestly seeks God’s attention in vv. 1-2, starting with a plea, 'Hear my prayer, Yahweh.' The expressions of longing and desperation in phrases like 'my spirit fails' in v. 7 reveal a heartfelt request for God’s intervention. By presenting personal petitions, the psalmist showcases the core of a supplicatory prayer.
Chapter outline
How Psalm 143 unfolds
Psalm 143:1–2 A Cry for Divine Attention
The psalmist petitions Yahweh for attention, asking Him to 'hear my prayer' and 'listen to my petitions' (v. 1), appealing to God's faithfulness and righteousness for relief.
Psalm 143:3–4 Despair Amidst Pursuit
The psalmist describes his desperation as 'the enemy pursues my soul' (v. 3), detailing his feelings of being overwhelmed and desolate, stating that 'my heart within me is desolate' (v. 4).
Psalm 143:5–6 Remembrance and Longing
In a moment of despair, the psalmist recalls past days, meditating on God's works and contemplating His hands (v. 5), expressing a deep longing and thirst for God through a physical gesture of reaching out (v. 6).
Psalm 143:7–8 Urgent Pleas for Guidance
The psalmist urgently calls for God’s swift response, fearing that his spirit may fail (v. 7), and seeks guidance by asking God to reveal the way he should walk, expressing trust in God (v. 8).
Psalm 143:9–11 Request for Deliverance and Teaching
The psalmist cries out, 'Deliver me, Yahweh, from my enemies' (v. 9), asking God to teach him 'to do your will' (v. 10) and requesting revival and deliverance 'for your name’s sake' (v. 11).
Psalm 143:12 Dependence and Faithfulness
The psalmist concludes with a plea for God's loving kindness to cut off his enemies and acknowledges his status as God's servant (v. 12), reinforcing his dependence on God's faithfulness.
Key verses
Psalms 143:10The psalmist asks Yahweh to teach him His will, which sets in motion a plea for guidance in facing enemies and seeking deliverance.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Psalm 143
- observeIn v1, what does the psalmist ask Yahweh to do regarding his petitions?
- observeWhat does the psalmist mean by 'dark places' in v3?
- interpretThe phrase 'cause me to hear your loving kindness' in v8: how does this connect to the psalmist's emotional state?
- interpretIn v10, what does the psalmist imply by asking to be taught 'to do your will'?
- applyWhen have you felt overwhelmed like the psalmist in v4, and how did you seek help?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Psalm 143
- Psalm 25Psalm 143:8 and Psalm 25:4Both ask for guidance: Psalm 143:8 causes me to know the way while Psalm 25:4 shows me your ways.
- Psalm 119Psalm 143:8 and Psalm 119:34Both call for understanding: Psalm 143:8 causes me to know the way while Psalm 119:34 gives me understanding.
- Isaiah 30Psalm 143:8 and Isaiah 30:21Both affirm divine guidance: Psalm 143:8 causes me to know the way while Isaiah 30:21 says this is the way.
- Psalm 42Psalm 143:6 and Psalm 42:1Both express thirst for God: Psalm 143:6 my soul thirsts while Psalm 42:1 my soul pants after you.
- Psalm 139Psalm 143:10 and Psalm 139:24Both seek to be led: Psalm 143:10 teach me to do your will while Psalm 139:24 lead me in the everlasting way.
- Romans 8Psalm 143:10 and Romans 8:14Both affirm being led by the Spirit: Psalm 143:10 teach me to do your will while Romans 8:14 led by the Spirit are children.
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