Psalms 143:1
Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
Psalms 143:1
This opening line of Psalm 143 asks God to hear prayer and supplication, anchoring the appeal in God’s own character: faithfulness and righteousness. The speaker pleads not merely for relief but for a hearing that aligns with God’s reliable nature. The verse sits within a psalm of existential distress and petition, where the psalmist seeks not only deliverance but a context in which prayer is properly received and answered in line with God’s trustworthy nature.
The emphasis on “thy faithfulness” and “thy righteousness” anchors prayer in God’s unchanging character. It counters human fears that God might be distant or indifferent. Faithfulness implies steadfast love and reliability; righteousness signals moral integrity in judgment and action. Prayer here is not a ritual but a relationship—an appeal to a God who is both merciful and just, who can be trusted to respond with integrity even when circumstances are bleak.
In your own prayer life, begin with God’s character as the basis for confidence. When life feels disproportionate to your resources, anchor your petitions in who God is—faithful, just, and good. Use this as a template for praying with others: remind them of God’s character as the ground for their pleas. Practically, set aside a short time daily to rehearse God’s past faithfulness in your life and to invite Him to align your heart with His purposes. Track how God answers prayers in small, everyday ways to strengthen future trust.
Cross-References
- Psalm 4:3
- Lamentations 3:22-23
- Psalm 25:8-10
- Hebrews 10:23
- Psalm 91:14-15