Psalm 143 is one of dependence. You may have heard the old phrase “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” or the more modern one to “diversify your portfolio”. This psalmist, however, relies 100% on God.

Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness! Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you. (verses 1-2 ESV)

Please, please, please. In this psalm, we can hear the writer pleading with God.

For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead. Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. (verses 3-6 ESV)

He is worn down and weary. Do you ever feel that way? What does he do during this dry time?

Answer me quickly, O Lord! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I life up my soul. (verses 7-8 ESV)

His words of distress increase. He aches for God.

Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord! I have fled to you for refuge! Teach me to do you will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble! And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies, and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant. (verses 9-12 ESV)

You, you, you, your, your, your. There is nowhere else to which it is worth turning. There is no sense relying on ourselves. We are not enough, but God is.