A Psalm. The LXX., Vulgate, Ethiopic, and Arabic state that this Psalm was composed by David on the rebellion of his son Absalom; and there are several passages in it which agree remarkably well with that period; for then he had most reason to fear lest God should deal with him according to his sins; which he deprecates with such a deep sense of his unworthiness, that it has hence been numbered among the penitential Psalms, of which it is the last. In it he prays to God for pardon, ver.

Psalm 143:1 Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in your faithfulness answer me, and in your righteousness.

; acknowledges the impossibility of being saved but by grace, ver.

Psalm 143:2 And enter not into judgment with your servant: for in your sight shall no man living be justified.

; deplores the lamentable effects of sin, ver.

Psalm 143:3,4 For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has smitten my life down to the ground; he has made me to dwell in darkness...

; comforts himself with a retrospect of God's mercies of old, ver.

Psalm 143:5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all your works; I muse on the work of your hands.

; and prays, in a variety of expressions, for remission of sin, sanctification, and redemption. ver.

Psalm 143:6-12 I stretch forth my hands to you: my soul thirsts after you, as a thirsty land. Selah...

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thy faithfulness

Psalm 31:1 In you, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in your righteousness.

Psalm 71:2 Deliver me in your righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline your ear to me, and save me.

2 Samuel 7:25 And now, O LORD God, the word that you have spoken concerning your servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever...

Daniel 9:16 O LORD, according to all your righteousness, I beseech you, let your anger and your fury be turned away from your city Jerusalem...

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.