Psalms

Psalms 143: Mercy and guidance for the guilty

Begin in prayer

Before David asks for mercy and the Spirit's guidance, let us consider the record we bring before God's judgment. Ask Him to lead us to Jesus and teach us obedience through His good Spirit.

I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my ordinances, and do them.

Ezekiel 36:27

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that the faithful Lord is sought for mercy and His good Spirit's guidance when no one can stand righteous. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David asks the faithful and righteous Lord to hear his prayer and spare him judgment, because no living person is righteous before God. The enemy has crushed his life into darkness, leaving his spirit overwhelmed and his heart desolate. He remembers God's works, spreads his hands toward God and thirsts for Him like parched land. With his spirit failing, he asks a quick answer and the hearing of loving kindness in the morning. Trusting God, he seeks rescue, knowledge of the way to walk and the good Spirit's leading into uprightness. The final plea asks life for God's name and the destruction of all who afflict him, because he is God's servant.

As you read Psalms 143, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The faithful LORD shows mercy and leads by His good Spirit, because no one is righteous before Him.

God's faithfulness and righteousness give David a ground for prayer that his own record cannot provide. Asking to be spared judgment acknowledges that no living person can stand righteous before God, words Paul echoes in Romans 3 verse 20. Enemy pursuit has brought darkness and inward desolation, yet remembering God's works turns his thoughts toward the One he needs. The parched land pictures a thirst no human strength can satisfy. His failing spirit asks morning loving kindness and a way to walk, joining relief to obedience. God's good Spirit is sought as the guide into uprightness, because David belongs to the God whose will he needs to learn. Life and rescue are requested for God's name and righteousness. The final appeal seeks his enemies' destruction through the Lord's loving kindness, so mercy for the servant includes judgment upon those afflicting him.

How does Psalm 143 show us that the faithful LORD shows mercy and leads by His good Spirit, because no one is righteous before Him?

The faithful LORD is sought for mercy when no one can stand righteous.

David asks God to hear in faithfulness and righteousness. He also asks to be spared judgment, because no living person is righteous before Him. Remembered works give his desolate, thirsty soul a place to turn.

The LORD's loving kindness and good Spirit are sought for obedient steps.

David asks to hear loving kindness in the morning. He trusts God and wants to know the way to walk. The request for rescue includes being taught God's will and led by His good Spirit.

The LORD's name and righteousness sustain the servant's plea for life and justice.

David asks life for God's name and rescue through His righteousness. He seeks the destruction of those who afflict his soul. Calling himself God's servant places the whole plea beneath the Lord's loving kindness.

Memorise

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.

Psalm 143:10

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what command am I ignoring while asking the Lord Jesus to guide me?

David confesses, “in your sight no man living is righteous.” He asks to be spared judgment and taught God's will. The good Spirit's leading is sought by a servant whose hope rests in the Lord's faithful mercy.

Our own record confirms that confession, because every one of us has sinned. Jesus obeyed His Father perfectly, then died for His people under God's judgment, securing the mercy their sinful record could never earn. He rose from the grave. His finished obedience and sacrifice are enough for their forgiveness and righteous acceptance, giving them the standing their own works could never earn.

Turn from your sin and trust Jesus for mercy. Everyone who comes to Him receives forgiveness through His completed work. Ask Him to make you willing to obey the command you have ignored and depend on His Spirit's help. The faithful LORD shows mercy and leads by His good Spirit, so His people ask Him to teach them His will.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the faithful Lord is sought for mercy and His good Spirit's guidance when no one can stand righteous. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Ask for mercy through Christ, the good Spirit's guidance and God's righteous rescue of His people. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

However when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming.

John 16:13

Faithful Lord, none of us can stand before You on the record of our own lives. Please bring us to Jesus for the righteousness His completed obedience and sacrifice provide. Make our children hear Your loving kindness and teach us to do Your will. Lead Your people by Your good Spirit, revive the failing and judge those who afflict them. Amen.