Psalm 143:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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.

NIV: 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.

NASB: Let me hear Your faithfulness in the morning, For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul.

CSB: Let me experience your faithful love in the morning, for I trust in you. Reveal to me the way I should go because I appeal to you.

NLT: Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.

KJV: Cause 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.

NKJV: Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.

Psalm 143:7–12 highlights the urgency of David's prayer (Psalm 143:1–6). He prays for immediate aid and guidance, noting that he is fleeing enemies and still seeking the Lord's will. There is still a sense of confidence in this prayer. David fully expects his opponents to be defeated.

David begins by appealing to God's goodness and loyal love. He acknowledges his own imperfections. He prays to be saved from the threat of violent enemies. These opponents overwhelm David, driving him into a dark, weak feeling. Yet David is encouraged to look back on all the times the Lord has provided rescue. David ties this anticipated salvation to his intent to praise and worship God as their mutual enemies are defeated.

This psalm combines several themes seen in David's other songs. He calls for rescue (Psalm 16:1; 25:19–20), admits his natural weakness against sin (Psalm 51:4–5; 141:3–4), recalls God's prior works (Psalm 145:4–5), asks for guidance (Psalm 25:5), and expresses confidence (Psalm 16:10; 138:7–8). Possible inspirations are the persecutions of Saul (1 Samuel 19:1–2) and the rebellion of Absalom (2 Samuel 15:13–14).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 4/26/2025 8:37:50 PM