Psalm 143

Verse 1 Hear my prayer 1. A similar opening in other Psalms 2. Hear me O God 3. Listen to my plea for compassion

4. He is trusting in God’s faithfulness and righteousness to receive an answer to his prayer

Verse 2 Do not enter into 1. David didn’t want to meet the Lord as a judge 2. He knew no one was righteous in God’s court

He had entreated for audience at the mercy seat, but he has no wish to appear before the judgment seat. Though clear before men, he could not claim innocence before God. —Charles Spurgeon

Verse 3 For the enemy 1. He has persecuted my inner being (soul) 2. He has crushed my life 3. He caused me to live like a corpse in a grave

Ephesians 6:10–13 NKJV

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Ephesians 6:

One thing is certain, the Lord who permits us to dwell in darkness among the dead, will surely bring us into light, and cause us to dwell with those who enjoy life eternal. —Charles Spurgeon

Verse 4 Therefore my spirit and heart 1. I am emotionally overwhelmed (to grow weak of feeble) 2. I am distressed (be deserted, be desolate, be removed)

Verse 5 I remember, I meditate, I muse 1. He remembers the past and reflects on God’s blessings knowing God will bless again 2. He meditates (growl, emit a sound, moan, ponder) on all of God’s works, both past, present, and future 3. He muses (be(come) concerned w., occupy one’s attention, speaking) speaking on the work of God’s hand. Is he talking to himself?

Memory, meditation, and musing are here set together as the three graces, ministering grace to a mind depressed and likely to be diseased. As David with his harp played away the evil spirit from Saul, so does the hero chase away gloom from his own soul by holy communion with God. —Charles Spurgeon

He reflects on history and all that God has done 2. He mediatates on all of God’s works 3. He muses (be(come) concerned w., occupy one’s attention) speaking - Holladay, W. L., & Köhler, L. (2000). A concise Hebrew and Aramaic lexicon of the Old Testament (p. 350). Leiden: Brill. on the work of God’s hand

a. Reflecting on the past can be helpful when going through trials in the present, remembering what God did for us. However, dwelling in the past will lead to discouragement to our present circumstances.

b. Count your blessings. The promises given in the light are the same promises in the dark 2. He concentrates on all of God’s works 3. He muses (be(come) concerned w., occupy one’s attention) speaking - Holladay, W. L., & Köhler, L. (2000). A concise Hebrew and Aramaic lexicon of the Old Testament (p. 350). Leiden: Brill. on the work of God’s hand

be(come) concerned w., occupy one’s attention

Holladay, W. L., & Köhler, L. (2000). A concise Hebrew and Aramaic lexicon of the Old Testament (p. 350). Leiden: Brill. on the work of God’s hand

Verse 6 I spread out my hands, I long for you 1. He reaches out and acknowledges God position in heaven

a. Like a baby reaches up to the parent to take them into their arms and hold and carry them 2. He desires God like a thirsty land needs water

Isaiah 55:1–5 NKJV

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you— The sure mercies of David. Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people, A leader and commander for the people. Surely you shall call a nation you do not know, And nations who do not know you shall run to you, Because of the Lord your God, And the Holy One of Israel; For He has glorified you.”

Isaiah 55:1–5 NKJV

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you— The sure mercies of David. Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people, A leader and commander for the people. Surely you shall call a nation you do not know, And nations who do not know you shall run to you, Because of the Lord your God, And the Holy One of Israel; For He has glorified you.”

John 4:10 Verse 7 Answer me, do not hide 1. Don’t delay because I’m about to expire 2. Don’t turn away or I’ll be dead

Verse 7 Answer me, do not hide 1. Don’t delay because I’m about to expire 2. Don’t turn away or I’ll be dead

John 4:10–14 NKJV

Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?” Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

Verse 7 Answer me, do not hide 1. Don’t delay because I’m about to expire

God will not fail when our spirit fails, but the rather he will hasten his course and come to us on the wings of the wind. —Charles Spurgeon

2. Don’t turn away or I’ll be dead

Verse 8 Cause me to hear, cause me to know 1. Let me hear your compassion early for I trust You

a. Troubles can cause us to be deaf

b. He prays for mercy to hear the voice of God

c. He bases his request upon his faith in God 2. Let me know the direction I should go for I’m placing my life in your hands

a. He made a personal choice to lift up his soul to God

b. This was not an emotional act but an act of the will

Verse 9 Deliver me 1. He had more than one enemy

a. The “weapon of prayer” (Charles Spurgeon) 2. He chose God as his shelter

a. Flee to God for protection

b. Rest by hiding in Him

Verse 10 Teach me, lead me 1. He wants to learn God’s will

a. Is that our prayer when we open the Bible?

b. Is that our request when we listen to God’s word procliamed

c. Do we have a willing heart to submit to the truth that is being taught?

d. Do we have a willingness to obey what we learn?

When the heart can sincerely call Jehovah "my God", the understanding is ready to learn of him, the will is prepared to obey him, the whole man is eager to please him. —Charles Spurgeon

2. He wants to obey because God is his God and God’s Spirit is good 3. He wants God to lead him to do right

Verse 11 Revive me, rescue my soul 1. Bring me back to life to glorify your name

Teaching and leading call for invigoration, or we shall be dull scholars and slow pilgrims. —Charles Spurgeon

2. Deliver my soul because you are righteous

Verse 12 Cut off my enemies 1. Save from my enemies because of your mercy 2. Destroy all who afflict my soul

a. David declares his loyalty to God as His servant