Psalms 143:1

KJV

¶ A Psalm of David. Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, [and] in thy righteousness.

KJV (with Strong's)

A Psalm {H4210} of David {H1732}. Hear {H8085} my prayer {H8605}, O LORD {H3068}, give ear {H238} to my supplications {H8469}: in thy faithfulness {H530} answer {H6030} me, and in thy righteousness {H6666}.

Complete Jewish Bible

A psalm of David: ADONAI, hear my prayer; listen to my pleas for mercy. In your faithfulness, answer me, and in your righteousness.

Berean Standard Bible

O LORD, hear my prayer. In Your faithfulness, give ear to my plea; in Your righteousness, answer me.

American Standard Version

Hear my prayer, O Jehovah; give ear to my supplications: In thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 143:1 introduces a poignant lament by King David, an urgent and heartfelt cry for divine intervention in a time of profound distress. Rather than appealing to his own merit or accomplishments, David grounds his petition entirely in the immutable character of God—His unwavering faithfulness and perfect righteousness. This foundational verse sets the spiritual and emotional tone for the entire psalm, establishing a paradigm of prayer rooted in absolute dependence on God's nature as the sole basis for hope, vindication, and deliverance amidst overwhelming need.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 143 stands as the final entry among the seven traditional Penitential Psalms (Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143), a collection distinguished by their profound expressions of sorrow over sin, earnest confession, and fervent pleas for divine mercy and forgiveness. Positioned within Book V of the Psalter (Psalms 107-150), which often explores themes of Israel's exile, restoration, and ultimate hope in God, Psalm 143 shifts the focus to the individual's desperate cry for God's attention. The opening verse immediately establishes the psalm's genre as a lament, with David directly addressing God with urgent imperatives to "hear" and "give ear." This initial plea sets the stage for the subsequent verses, which detail David's deep distress, his confession of human frailty and sin, and his renewed, desperate appeals for guidance, deliverance from enemies, and vindication, culminating in an affirmation of trust in God's unfailing character. The movement from intense supplication to a confession of weakness, then to a renewed plea for guidance and vindication, and finally to a declaration of trust, is characteristic of the lament genre.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the specific historical backdrop for Psalm 143 remains unstated, its attribution to David allows it to resonate universally with those experiencing profound distress. Many of David's psalms are born from periods of intense personal and national crisis, such as his harrowing flight from King Saul, as chronicled in [1 Samuel 19](/1_samuel/19 "1 Samuel 19 - David Flees Saul"), or the painful betrayal and rebellion led by his own son Absalom, detailed in [2 Samuel 15](/2_samuel/15 "2 Samuel 15 - Absalom's Rebellion"). In ancient Israelite culture, prayer was an indispensable aspect of daily life and worship, frequently involving physical postures like prostration, fervent crying out, and direct invocation of YHWH, the covenant God. The concepts of God's faithfulness (אֱמוּנָה, _’emûwnâh_) and righteousness (צְדָקָה, _tsᵉdâqâh_) were not abstract theological ideas but foundational pillars of the covenant relationship between God and His people, Israel. David, as king, understood his dual role as both a shepherd of his nation and an individual utterly reliant on God's justice and mercy for his own life and the stability of his reign. His appeal to these divine attributes reflects a sophisticated theological understanding, where God's unchanging character served as the ultimate and unshakeable ground for hope and trust in a tumultuous world.
* **Key Themes:** This opening verse masterfully introduces several profound themes that not only define Psalm 143 but also echo throughout the Davidic psalms and the broader tapestry of biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **urgent supplication**, powerfully conveyed through David's repeated, insistent calls for God to "hear" and "give ear." This emphasizes the profound intensity of his need and his absolute, desperate dependence on divine intervention. Secondly, the verse highlights the critical theme of **reliance on God's character** as the exclusive foundation for prayer. David makes no appeal to his own merit or righteousness, but rather to God's inherent, unchanging faithfulness and perfect righteousness. This underscores the vital truth that our confidence in prayer stems not from our own worthiness, but from the unassailable nature of who God is. This profound theological principle is consistently affirmed throughout Scripture, as seen in passages like [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approaching the Throne of Grace"), which encourages believers to approach God's throne of grace with boldness, knowing that He is both merciful and faithful. Finally, the verse subtly but powerfully introduces the theme of **divine justice and vindication**. By appealing to God's righteousness, David expresses a deep desire for God to act justly in his situation, whether that involves delivering him from oppression or forgiving his sins, a recurring motif in other psalms of lament and confession, such as [Psalm 51](/psalms/51 "Psalm 51 - A Psalm of Confession").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hear (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** H8085. A primitive root meaning to hear intelligently, often with the implication of attention, obedience, or understanding. In this context, David's plea is not merely for God to perceive sound, but to listen actively, to comprehend the depth of his distress, and to respond effectively. It is an urgent request for God to engage with his prayer in a way that leads to decisive action and intervention.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** H3068. Derived from the root meaning "to be" or "to exist," this is the sacred, personal covenant name of God, YHWH, often translated as "the self-Existent" or "the Eternal One." By addressing God as YHWH, David appeals to the God who has revealed Himself in covenant relationship with Israel, emphasizing His unwavering presence, His faithfulness to His promises, and His unique sovereignty.
* **faithfulness (Hebrew, _ʼĕmûwnâh'_):** H530. This feminine noun signifies firmness, security, and morally, fidelity. It speaks to God's steadfastness, reliability, and unwavering commitment to His covenant promises and His own character. David trusts that God will act consistently with His immutable nature and His revealed word, providing a firm foundation for his desperate plea.
* **righteousness (Hebrew, _tsᵉdâqâh'_):** H6666. From the root meaning "to be right," this term encompasses rightness in an abstract sense, subjective rectitude, objective justice, moral virtue, and even figurative prosperity. It refers to God's perfect justice, His inherent moral integrity, and the absolute rightness of all His judgments and actions. David appeals to God to do what is inherently just and right in his situation, seeking vindication or deliverance that aligns with God's holy and perfect standards.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"A Psalm of David. Hear my prayer, O LORD":** This introductory clause identifies the author, David, and immediately establishes the urgent, personal nature of the communication. David, in a state of profound distress, directly addresses YHWH, the personal covenant God of Israel, with an imperative plea for His undivided attention. The verb "Hear" (שָׁמַע, _shâmaʻ_) is not a casual request but a fervent, earnest cry for God to actively listen, understand, and respond to his petition.
* **"give ear to my supplications":** This phrase functions as a powerful synonymous parallel to the preceding clause, intensifying the urgency and depth of David's appeal. "Give ear" (אָזַן, _ʼâzan_) metaphorically implies bending down to listen closely and attentively, signifying a deep, personal engagement from God. "Supplications" (תַּחֲנוּן, _tachănûwn_) refers to earnest prayer, specifically a plea for grace or favor, acknowledging the petitioner's own unworthiness and complete reliance on divine mercy rather than personal merit.
* **"in thy faithfulness answer me":** Here, David explicitly grounds his request not in any personal merit or deservingness, but entirely in God's inherent and unchanging character. "Faithfulness" (אֱמוּנָה, _ʼĕmûwnâh_) refers to God's steadfastness, reliability, and unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. David trusts that God's very nature compels Him to respond to His people, to be true to Himself and His word. He asks for an "answer" (עָנָה, _ʻânâh_), which implies a direct, effective, and favorable response to his plea.
* **"and in thy righteousness":** This concluding phrase further anchors David's appeal in the divine character, serving as a parallel to "in thy faithfulness." "Righteousness" (צְדָקָה, _tsᵉdâqâh_) speaks to God's perfect justice, His moral integrity, and the inherent rightness of all His actions and judgments. David appeals to God to act justly in his situation, implying a desire for vindication, deliverance from injustice, or a righteous judgment that aligns with God's holy and perfect standards, whether that involves external circumstances or internal spiritual need.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 143:1 is rich with evocative literary devices that amplify its emotional and theological impact. **Synonymous Parallelism** is prominently featured in the opening lines: "Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications." Here, the second clause reiterates and intensifies the meaning of the first, underscoring David's profound earnestness and the depth of his desperate need for God's immediate attention and response. The phrase "give ear" can be understood as a subtle form of **Personification**, attributing a human-like action (bending an ear to listen closely) to God, thereby making the divine listener feel more intimately present and accessible. The entire verse functions as a powerful **Invocation** and establishes the **Lament** genre, immediately setting a tone of deep distress and direct, personal appeal to the divine. Furthermore, David's appeal to "thy faithfulness" and "thy righteousness" is a sophisticated **Appeal to Divine Attributes**, a rhetorical strategy that grounds the petitioner's hope and confidence not in their own merit or circumstances, but squarely in the unchanging, perfect, and reliable character of God, thereby strengthening the plea with theological weight.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 143:1 articulates a foundational theological truth that undergirds all genuine prayer: the efficacy and confidence of our supplications rest not on our own worthiness or performance, but entirely on the immutable character of God. David, despite his stature as king and "a man after God's own heart," approaches the Almighty from a posture of profound humility and absolute dependence, appealing solely to God's unwavering faithfulness and perfect righteousness. This highlights that God's response to prayer is an outflow of His very being—His steadfast love, His covenant promises, and His inherent justice. It teaches believers that even when overwhelmed by sin, suffering, or adverse circumstances, we can confidently draw near to God, knowing that He is eternally true to His word and perfectly righteous in all His ways. This foundational principle shifts the focus from human inadequacy to divine perfection, providing an unshakeable basis for hope and trust in every season of life.

* [Deuteronomy 7:9](/deuteronomy/7-9 "God's Faithfulness to His Covenant")
* [Psalm 145:17](/psalms/145-17 "The Righteousness of the LORD in All His Ways")
* [1 John 5:14-15](/1_john/5-14-15 "Confidence in Prayer According to God's Will")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 143:1 offers a timeless and profound blueprint for how believers are to approach God in prayer, especially during seasons of deep distress, confusion, or perceived injustice. It calls us to an earnestness that transcends mere words, urging us to pour out our hearts before the LORD with unwavering sincerity and raw honesty, just as David did. More profoundly, it redirects our focus from our own perceived merit or deservingness to the unshakeable foundation of God's character. When we pray, our confidence should not be in our eloquence, our piety, or our past deeds, but solely in God's immutable faithfulness to His promises and His perfect righteousness in all His judgments. This perspective liberates us from the heavy burden of self-justification, allowing us to rest in the profound assurance that God will act according to His holy nature, always doing what is right and true, even if His timing or methods differ from our expectations. It encourages us to persevere in prayer, trusting that the God who is eternally faithful and perfectly righteous will indeed hear and answer in His perfect wisdom and love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life do you feel most compelled to cry out to God with urgent supplication, mirroring David's plea?**
* **How does a deeper understanding of God's unwavering faithfulness and perfect righteousness transform your approach to Him in prayer, particularly when you feel unworthy or desperate?**
* **What specific promises of God's faithfulness, found in Scripture, can you cling to and declare when seeking His answer to your supplications today?**
* **How might appealing to God's inherent righteousness influence your perspective and posture when facing situations of injustice or deeply challenging circumstances?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean for David to appeal to God's "faithfulness" and "righteousness" in prayer?**

Answer: When David appeals to God's "faithfulness" (Hebrew: _ʼemûwnâh_), he is relying on God's steadfastness, reliability, and unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. He trusts that God is true to His word and will act consistently with His revealed character, which is immutable. His appeal to God's "righteousness" (Hebrew: _tsᵉdâqâh_) is a plea for God to act according to His perfect justice and moral integrity. This means David is asking God to do what is inherently right and just in his situation, whether it involves delivering him from enemies, vindicating him from false accusations, or forgiving his sins. It grounds his hope in God's perfect nature, not in his own merit, acknowledging that God's actions are always aligned with His holy character.

**Is Psalm 143:1 a prayer for forgiveness or for deliverance from enemies?**

Answer: While Psalm 143:1 itself is a general, urgent plea for God to "hear" and "answer," the broader context of Psalm 143 reveals it to be a comprehensive prayer encompassing both a plea for deliverance from enemies and a confession of sin. This dual focus is characteristic of a Penitential Psalm. Later verses in the psalm clearly speak of external threats, such as [Psalm 143:3](/psalms/143-3 "Psalm 143:3 - Persecution and Distress"), where David describes enemies pursuing him and crushing his life. Simultaneously, [Psalm 143:2](/psalms/143-2 "Psalm 143:2 - No One Righteous Before God") acknowledges his own sinfulness and the impossibility of being justified before God by his own deeds. Therefore, the opening verse sets the stage for a holistic cry for God's merciful and just intervention in all aspects of David's profound distress, both external and internal.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 143:1, with David's desperate plea grounded in God's unwavering faithfulness and perfect righteousness, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. David's longing for a righteous answer and faithful deliverance from his plight profoundly foreshadows the perfect intercession and redemptive work of Christ. Jesus, as the incarnate Son of God, perfectly embodies God's faithfulness ([Hebrews 3:2](/hebrews/3-2 "Hebrews 3:2 - Christ's Faithfulness as a Son")) and His absolute righteousness ([Romans 3:21-22](/romans/3-21-22 "Romans 3:21-22 - The Righteousness of God Through Faith in Jesus Christ")). Where David and all humanity fall short in righteousness and stand in desperate need of God's merciful answer, Christ stands as the one who perfectly fulfilled all righteousness on our behalf ([Matthew 3:15](/matthew/3-15 "Matthew 3:15 - Jesus Fulfills All Righteousness")). Furthermore, Jesus is the ultimate "answer" to humanity's deepest supplications, not merely hearing our prayers but actively interceding for us as our compassionate and powerful High Priest ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Priesthood and Intercession")). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, He became our righteousness ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - We Become the Righteousness of God in Christ")), enabling us to approach God's throne of grace with boldness ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approaching the Throne of Grace with Confidence")), confident that our prayers are heard and answered "in Him" according to God's perfect faithfulness and justice, which were fully revealed, vindicated, and satisfied in the cross.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 71:2

Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.

Psalms 31:1

¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.

Psalms 140:6

I said unto the LORD, Thou [art] my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.

Daniel 9:16

O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people [are become] a reproach to all [that are] about us.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Psalms 89:1

¶ Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite. I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.

Psalms 89:2

For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.