Read Psalm 143
A psalm of David.
1 Lord, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
come to my relief.
2 Do not bring your servant into judgment,
for no one living is righteous before you.
3 The enemy pursues me,
he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in the darkness
like those long dead.
4 So my spirit grows faint within me;
my heart within me is dismayed.
5 I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works
and consider what your hands have done.
6 I spread out my hands to you;
I thirst for you like a parched land.
7 Answer me quickly, Lord;
my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.
9 Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,
for I hide myself in you.
10 Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.
11 For your name’s sake, Lord, preserve my life;
in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
destroy all my foes,
for I am your servant.
Go Deeper
When was the last time you felt thirsty? Maybe it was after a long workout. Maybe it was from spending a few too many hours in the sun. When we’re thirsty, almost nothing else seems to matter. Food doesn’t sound appetizing. Our minds are less sharp. Even sitting down to rest doesn’t sound relaxing until we’re able to quench our need for water. Thirst overtakes our desires and our focus.
In verse 6, David says, “… my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.” According to Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon, the same word used for “thirsty” in this verse is translated as “weary” or “faint” throughout the Old Testament. David knows his need for God to save him from judgment. He is desperate for God to come near and rescue him from his sinfulness. In his weakness, he turns again to the only One who can satisfy his thirst. He knows where to turn because he has seen God’s faithfulness before (Psalm 143:5). David’s thirst for God is recorded all throughout the Psalms. He knows what it is like to be thirsty, and he knows what it is like for God to satisfy him (Psalm 42:1, Psalm 63:1-5, Psalm 84:2).
Whether we recognize our need for God each day or not, it’s always there. It underlies every desire we have and every attempt to satisfy ourselves with anything other than Jesus. But in His faithfulness, that is exactly what He gives us – more of Himself. In John 4:14, Jesus says, “But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.” John 7:37 says, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” Jesus tells us again and again that He will satisfy our thirst, and He has freely given us Himself.
Maybe our thirst is God’s call to our hearts, reminding us of our need for God and drawing us into His presence. When we are thirsty and feel the weight of our weakness, let it bring us back to Him. When we are filled to overflowing, let us pour out praise to Him. In all situations, let us turn to God and let Him be glorified through us.
Questions
- In what areas of your life do you recognize your weakness and need for God?
- How have you seen God strengthen and fill you?
- How can you create space to draw near to God today?
Did You Know?
Psalm 143 is known as one of the seven Penitential Psalms. These are psalms that express sorrow and repentance over one’s sinfulness. Psalm 143:2 acknowledges that everyone is guilty of sin, and the entire psalm acknowledges our desperate need for God’s forgiveness. You can learn more about Penitential Psalms here.
6 responses to “Psalm 143”
6 I thirst for you like a parched land.
Very helpful commentary about our thirst for God. When I’m thirsty, I’m singularly focused on addressing that condition. Let my posture towards God be likewise!
Amen
Amen.
“I am thirsty” are the second to last words Jesus spoke on the cross while his hands were spread out. John19:28
When reading verse 6 I was immediately drawn to the parallel between David and Jesus. I suspect Jesus was reflecting on this psalm as he was enduring the price for our sins.
I pray I remember that.
Remember
When things are going our way we tend to forget the ways God has been in our lives. I say we but I tend to think it is because of what I have been doing and not meditating on what, where and how God has been showing me, telling me, and loving me. When I hit that rocky place I turn more quickly to God than when things are smooth. BUT GOD! I believe that this passage and many other scripture points me to be in that minute by minute process of looking, seeking, asking God about EACH minute of time and those sixty seconds of that minute for Him to guide me, instead of me trying to control all things. Letting go is not fun or comfortable BUT GOD has the best plans.
“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” – Psalm 143:8
God thank You for these minutes of this day. Thank You that I am in the process of asking You about those seconds. Continue to help me to look to You, seek You so much more than I do. Thank You for that growing process. God Your Hesed steadfast love is why I continue and dont give up. Today is a boot strap day. God I could easily have a big pity party but instead I am going to meditate on Your words. Thank You for helping me to not sink into the miry clay but to think and dwell and meditate on You and Your unfailing love. God in these minutes of this day help me to glorify and honor You with my words, actions and thoughts in Jesus name amen
WOOHOO!!
This psalm connects with the 3 points of JP’s sermon “How To Be Well Step One: Surrender To God”.
I. I can’t.
2. God can.
3. I trust Him.
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life” (v8).