Chapter 143

David

1st, David appeals for God to hear his prayer, and not to judge him because no one can stand before God and be judged righteous.  David understands this relationship of judgement to petitioners. He is King himself, and is the one "prayed to" many times.

2021 - Here is the verse: 2 Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you. [Psa 143:2 ESV]  Our prayers deserve no answers.  We constantly disobey and affront the King of Everything.  No earthly King would tolerate that, and then be generous towards those who are disdaining their laws.  David understands that he cannot be good enough - cannot be righteous enough - before God.  BUT, David also understands that God is not a man, and not as man.  God's mercy, God's righteousness goes beyond all that.  If it did not, there'd be no answered prayers.  Our prayers are not granted - or declined - based on what we do, but ONLY upon God's mercy and righteousness.  And here is one more thought.  God is righteous to answer the prayers of those who are not deserving.  This is a principle.  God can only do what is right, and he answers the prayers of those who offend Him.  We should strive to do the same!  Christ's blood covers the sins of sinners, so that God can righteously answer those prayers.  Because any sin against us is a lesser sin than any sin against God, yet God does not judge, we shouldn't judge either.  We have less reason - far less reason - to refuse the petitions of others than God does.  This is why we, too should forgive.  If you want your prayers answered, answer the prayers of others.

Possible FB post.

2nd, David asks this because his enemies are "winning", and his spirit faints.  He is very afraid of his enemies. 

2021 - This phrase:  "...he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead."  Psa 143:3b ESV.  I get a picture of David hiding in caves to escape Saul's soldiers during all those years, even AFTER David had been anointed King by Samuel.  Picture David praying the prayer above from such a place.  David understood that God was not unreasonable to have him hiding in a cave in the desert, even though he was King of Israel by God's own word.  He realized that even Kings on the earth deserve no better than this from God.  And from that humble place, David prays, David appeals for protection and help.

Possible follow-up to Psa 143:2 FB post.

3rd, David ponders the power of God, His past work.

4th, David asks for a quick answer to his prayers.

5th, David asks deliverance from his enemies.  He seeks refuge in God.  I get a picture of a child running behind his parent.

6th, David asks to be protected for God's namesake.  David is chosen of God, as God's favorite, David asks for protection.  (these last are my phrasing, not the Bible's.  Something seems not quite right about my phrasing.)