Profound Penitence
Psalm 143 is the last of 7 penitential Psalms. The others are Psalm 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, and 130. It is one of the best approaches for a sinful man to address God.
It bases it's request on God's character as revealed throughout Scripture:
Psalm 143:1 (ESV) Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!
It hits the nail on the head when it comes to our approach. Only God is righteous:
Psalm 143:2 (ESV) Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you.
It makes God the highest aim of prayer, rather than fleeting victories or blessings of this life:
Psalm 143:5–6 (ESV) I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. 6 I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah
It seeks direction not simply accommodation to the desires of the flesh. In other words, the Psalmist wants to know what he should do, not just have God do it for him.
Psalm 143:8 (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.
By the way, about verse 8, notice that he's going to sleep. He knows he needs rest and he entrusts God to be in total control even when he is not at work.
The Psalm seeks the Holy Spirit to guide and direct:
Psalm 143:10 (ESV) Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!
Notice the Psalm seeks a change of life in all three facets:
1. His heart, "let me hear ... of your love"
2. His mind - "teach me to do your will"
3. His spirit - "let your good Spirit lead me"
4. His body "show me where to walk" (verse 8 in the NLT).
Penitence should be a whole life event. Something that we desire for every area, not simply our thoughts or spirit... but something that becomes activity without and deep transformation within.
Toward the end, the Psalmist gives the reason for his desire:
Psalm 143:11 (ESV) For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!
David was very concerned for the "name's sake" of God. It reminds us of our model prayer's opening, "Hallowed by THY Name." All of our lives are meant and called to reflect and honor the glory of God's Name.
Lastly, he's certain of God's victory:
Psalm 143:12 (ESV) And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies, and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant.
What a model prayer for penitence. May our own hearts be gripped with this course of spiritual maintenance as we face down our spiritual enemy with certainty in God's ultimate victory!
It bases it's request on God's character as revealed throughout Scripture:
Psalm 143:1 (ESV) Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!
It hits the nail on the head when it comes to our approach. Only God is righteous:
Psalm 143:2 (ESV) Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you.
It makes God the highest aim of prayer, rather than fleeting victories or blessings of this life:
Psalm 143:5–6 (ESV) I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. 6 I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah
It seeks direction not simply accommodation to the desires of the flesh. In other words, the Psalmist wants to know what he should do, not just have God do it for him.
Psalm 143:8 (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.
By the way, about verse 8, notice that he's going to sleep. He knows he needs rest and he entrusts God to be in total control even when he is not at work.
The Psalm seeks the Holy Spirit to guide and direct:
Psalm 143:10 (ESV) Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!
Notice the Psalm seeks a change of life in all three facets:
1. His heart, "let me hear ... of your love"
2. His mind - "teach me to do your will"
3. His spirit - "let your good Spirit lead me"
4. His body "show me where to walk" (verse 8 in the NLT).
Penitence should be a whole life event. Something that we desire for every area, not simply our thoughts or spirit... but something that becomes activity without and deep transformation within.
Toward the end, the Psalmist gives the reason for his desire:
Psalm 143:11 (ESV) For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!
David was very concerned for the "name's sake" of God. It reminds us of our model prayer's opening, "Hallowed by THY Name." All of our lives are meant and called to reflect and honor the glory of God's Name.
Lastly, he's certain of God's victory:
Psalm 143:12 (ESV) And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies, and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant.
What a model prayer for penitence. May our own hearts be gripped with this course of spiritual maintenance as we face down our spiritual enemy with certainty in God's ultimate victory!
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