Psalm 143

“I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land” (v6). The psalmist craved the presence of the Lord amid his emotional turmoil; God was his only hope for peace. He confessed his own shortcomings: “Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you” (v2). Whatever the source of trouble, the consequence was the same: “The enemy has pursued my soul … he has made me sit in darkness” (v3).

“Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground” (v10). When the path ahead is dark and uncertain, God is faithful to comfort us, renew our strength, and lead us to level ground (v8).