Psalm 143

Psalm 143 is the 143rd psalm of the biblical Book of Psalms in the Masoretic and modern numbering. In the slightly different numbering system in the Greek Septuagint version of the bible, and in its Latin translation, the Vulgate/Vulgata Clementina, this psalm is Psalm 142. It is one of the Penitential Psalms.

This article is about Psalm 143 in Hebrew (Masoretic) numbering. For Psalm 143 in Greek Septuagint or Latin Vulgate numbering, see Psalm 144.
Psalm 143
Beginning of Psalm 143 [Psalm 142 Septuagint] in the Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry, ms.65, f.70v.
BookBook of Psalms
Hebrew Bible partKetuvim
Order in the Hebrew part1
CategorySifrei Emet
Christian Bible partOld Testament
Order in the Christian part19

Theme

One of the Penitential Psalms, it is a prayer to be delivered from enemies.[1] It takes the form of a King's prayer for victory and peace. According to Augustine of Hippo this psalm was likely written during the period of the rebellion of David's son Absalom.[2]

Father Stavros Akrotirianakis points out that in most English translations verse 11 reads, "in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble", whereas the reading in Greek is "in your righteousness bring out of trouble my soul." This then affects the reading of verse 12. "This verse asks God specifically to destroy those who afflict our souls, not our lives."[3]

Another element comes in: to be adjusted to the will of the Lord, as the psalmist asks in verse 10. Verse 8 goes in the same direction. At the loyalty of the Lord must be unwavering devotion of the Psalmist, that his prayer is answered.

Text

Hebrew Bible version

Following is the Hebrew text of Psalm 143:[4]

Verse Hebrew
1 :מִזְמוֹר, לְדָוִד

יְהוָה, שְׁמַע תְּפִלָּתִי-- הַאֲזִינָה אֶל-תַּחֲנוּנַי; .בֶּאֱמֻנָתְךָ עֲנֵנִי, בְּצִדְקָתֶךָ

2 :וְאַל-תָּבוֹא בְמִשְׁפָּט, אֶת-עַבְדֶּךָ

.כִּי לֹא-יִצְדַּק לְפָנֶיךָ כָל-חָי

3 ;כִּי רָדַף אוֹיֵב, נַפְשִׁי-- דִּכָּא לָאָרֶץ, חַיָּתִי

.הוֹשִׁבַנִי בְמַחֲשַׁכִּים, כְּמֵתֵי עוֹלָם

4 .וַתִּתְעַטֵּף עָלַי רוּחִי; בְּתוֹכִי, יִשְׁתּוֹמֵם לִבִּי
5 ;זָכַרְתִּי יָמִים, מִקֶּדֶם-- הָגִיתִי בְכָל-פָּעֳלֶךָ

.בְּמַעֲשֵׂה יָדֶיךָ אֲשׂוֹחֵ

6 .פֵּרַשְׂתִּי יָדַי אֵלֶיךָ; נַפְשִׁי, כְּאֶרֶץ-עֲיֵפָה לְךָ סֶלָה
7 :מַהֵר עֲנֵנִי, יְהוָה-- כָּלְתָה רוּחִי

.אַל-תַּסְתֵּר פָּנֶיךָ מִמֶּנִּי; וְנִמְשַׁלְתִּי, עִם-יֹרְדֵי בוֹר

8 :הַשְׁמִיעֵנִי בַבֹּקֶר, חַסְדֶּךָ-- כִּי-בְךָ בָטָחְתִּי

.הוֹדִיעֵנִי, דֶּרֶךְ-זוּ אֵלֵךְ-- כִּי-אֵלֶיךָ, נָשָׂאתִי נַפְשִׁי

9 .הַצִּילֵנִי מֵאֹיְבַי יְהוָה-- אֵלֶיךָ כִסִּתִי
10 :לַמְּדֵנִי, לַעֲשׂוֹת רְצוֹנֶךָ-- כִּי-אַתָּה אֱלוֹהָי

.רוּחֲךָ טוֹבָה; תַּנְחֵנִי, בְּאֶרֶץ מִישׁוֹר

11 .לְמַעַן-שִׁמְךָ יְהוָה תְּחַיֵּנִי; בְּצִדְקָתְךָ, תּוֹצִיא מִצָּרָה נַפְשִׁי
12 .וּבְחַסְדְּךָ, תַּצְמִית אֹיְבָי: וְהַאֲבַדְתָּ, כָּל-צֹרְרֵי נַפְשִׁי--כִּי, אֲנִי עַבְדֶּךָ

Uses

Jewish

Verse 2 is found in the repetition of the Amidah during Rosh Hashanah.[5]

New Testament

Verse 2b is quoted in Romans 3:20.[6]

Catholic Church

In the Benedictine tradition, Benedict of Nursia selected Psalm 142 (143) to be sung on Saturdays at the Office for Lauds (Chapter XIII) after Psalm 51.[7] A number of monasteries still preserve this tradition.[8]

Psalm 143 is recited on the fourth Thursday of the four weekly cycle of liturgical prayers at Lauds (Morning Prayer) in the Liturgy of the Hours, and every Tuesday night at compline (Night Prayer).

Orthodox Church

This psalm is read at every Orthros, Paraklesis, Salutations to the Virgin Mary, and Holy Unction service.[3]

References
  1. Ps. 143, note, NAB
  2. [https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1801143.htm Augustine. "Exposition on Psalm 143", Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 8. (Translated by J.E. Tweed, trans.) Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1888[ This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. Akrotirianakis, Stavros. "Psalm 143", OCN
  4. "Psalms Chapter 143 תְּהִלִּים". mechon-mamre.org. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  5. The Complete Artscroll Machzor for Rosh Hashanah, p. 367
  6. Kirkpatrick, A. F. (1901). The Book of Psalms: with Introduction and Notes. The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges. Vol. Book IV and V: Psalms XC-CL. Cambridge: At the University Press. p. 840. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  7. Traduction par Prosper Guéranger, p. 41, Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Solesmes, réimpression 2007
  8. Psautier latin-français du bréviaire monastique
  • Psalm 143 in Hebrew and English – Mechon-mamre
  • Psalm 143 King James Bible – Wikisource
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