Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. Psalm 143 opens with urgent appeal for God to hear and answer prayer, grounding this request not in the psalmist's worthiness but in God's faithfulness and righteousness. This is the last of seven Penitential Psalms (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143) traditionally used in Christian liturgy to express repentance and dependence on God's mercy.
"Hear my prayer, O LORD" (יְהוָה שְׁמַע תְּפִלָּתִי/Yahweh shema tefillati) begins with direct address to Yahweh, using His covenant name. Shama means to hear, listen, pay attention, respond—not merely auditory awareness but hearing that leads to action. Tefillah (prayer) is general term for petition, intercession, worship. David appeals for God's attentive response to his prayer.
"Give ear to my supplications" (הַאֲזִינָה אֶל־תַּחֲנוּנַי/ha'azinah el-tachanuny) intensifies the appeal. Azan means to listen attentively, give ear, pay close attention. Tachanun means supplication, plea for grace, earnest petition. The parallel construction (hear...give ear; prayer...supplications) emphasizes urgency through repetition. David isn't making casual request but desperate, repeated appeal for divine attention and intervention.
"In thy faithfulness answer me" (בֶּאֱמוּנָתְךָ עֲנֵנִי/be'emunatekha aneni) grounds the appeal in God's character rather than human merit. Emunah means faithfulness, trustworthiness, steadfastness, reliability. This derives from aman (to be firm, established, faithful)—the root of "amen." God's faithfulness refers to His covenant reliability, His unwavering commitment to His promises, His consistent character. David appeals to who God IS rather than what David deserves.
"And in thy righteousness" (בְּצִדְקָתֶךָ/betzidqatekha) adds parallel appeal. Tzedaqah means righteousness, justice, rightness, what is right and proper. This doesn't refer to stern legal judgment but to God's righteous character that includes both justice and mercy, that makes things right, that vindicates His people. God's righteousness ensures He will act consistently with His character and covenant promises.
Historical & Cultural Context
Psalm 143, traditionally attributed to David, reflects circumstances of persecution and distress similar to Saul's pursuit or Absalom's rebellion. The psalm describes an enemy pursuing David's soul, smiting his life to the ground, making him dwell in darkness like the dead (v.3). Whether referring to specific historical crisis or expressing general experience of persecution, it captures the reality of desperate prayer during extreme adversity.
The appeal to God's faithfulness and righteousness rather than human merit reflects fundamental biblical theology. Salvation and deliverance rest on God's character, not human worthiness. Abraham believed God, "and it was counted unto him for righteousness" (Genesis 15:6). Israel's exodus from Egypt resulted from God's faithfulness to covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, not from Israel's merit (Exodus 2:24). Throughout Scripture, God's people appeal to His faithful character as basis for answered prayer.
The Penitential Psalms tradition developed in early church liturgy as expressions of repentance during Lent and other penitential seasons. Psalm 143 particularly emphasizes human sinfulness ("in thy sight shall no man living be justified," v.2) and need for divine mercy. This reflects Reformation theology of justification by faith alone—righteousness based on God's character and Christ's work, not human merit.
The contrast between God's righteousness and human sinfulness appears throughout Scripture. Isaiah 64:6 confesses: "We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags." Romans 3:10 declares: "There is none righteous, no, not one." Yet Romans 3:21-22 reveals righteousness through faith in Christ: "The righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe."
For believers throughout history facing persecution, suffering, or spiritual darkness, this appeal to God's faithfulness and righteousness has provided foundation for confident prayer. When we have nothing else to offer, when circumstances seem hopeless, when enemies prevail, we can appeal to God's unchanging character—His faithfulness endures, His righteousness ensures He will act consistently with His nature and promises.