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Some psalms seem so personal they are almost embarrassing.  By that I mean, they are the record of the author’s very heart as he expresses deep things to his God.  Reading them can feel like you are peering in on something very sacred—and possibly they should have left well enough alone.

But, no, God has chosen to reveal them.  For OUR benefit. And for His (in some ways beyond our knowing.)

Psalm 143 is David speaking to God.  No one else seems to be around or of concern to David.  But he has a LOT of concerns that he must express to his God.  He has at least fifteen direct requests in these twelve verses.

O 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 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; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.      Selah ⁷ Answer me quickly, O 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 lift up my soul.  ⁹ Rescue me from my enemies, O 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, O 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.
— Psalm 143

As David writes he reveals his circumstances. He needs a hearing. He fears God’s judgment. He is fully aware of his sin. He is under persecution and is afflicted. He feels crushed…

One of his expressions is “So my spirit grows faint within me…” (verse 4).

I am very fortunate that this ISN’T how I feel right now.  But as one wag said, “Be patient. This too shall pass.” I don’t look forward to the time when I’ll feel overwhelmed, but I’m sure it will come again.

Yes, I’ve felt it before. The longing for previous days of relief. The parched soul. About the only request that makes sense is “deliver me, O God.”

While David is at this spot he has an interesting request. It is one in which I find myself resonating.  Apparently it reaches all of us, whether overwhelmed at the moment or merely whelmed .

“ 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 lift up my soul” (verse 8).

I guess it strikes me for its simplicity. Each day is new. Each day needs sustaining. Each day needs direction. There is only one place to find provision and that is in the LORD. My part is to trust.

It reminds me of an often memorized set of verses in Lamentation 3:22,23, “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.²³ They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Just what I need.

Howard Morrison is a partner in Gilbert, Arizona’s Morrison Ranch (where one of his nicknames is Bias for Action). In addition to being an active second-generation partner in the the family owned business, Howard identifies himself as a pastor (in a previous life), a husband, and the glad father of three.