an earnest appeal for guidance and deliverance

¹ Hear my prayer, O LORD,
         Give ear to my supplications!
         In Your faithfulness answer me,
         And in Your righteousness.
 ² Do not enter into judgment with Your servant,
         For in Your sight no one living is righteous.
       
 ³ For the enemy has persecuted my soul;
         He has crushed my life to the ground;
         He has made me dwell in darkness,
         Like those who have long been dead.
 ⁴ Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me;
         My heart within me is distressed.
       
 ⁵ I remember the days of old;
         I meditate on all Your works;
         I muse on the work of Your hands.
 ⁶ I spread out my hands to You;
         My soul longs for You like a thirsty land.  Selah
       
 ⁷ Answer me speedily, O LORD;
         My spirit fails!
         Do not hide Your face from me,
         Lest I be like those who go down into the pit.
 ⁸ Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,
         For in You do I trust;
         Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,
         For I lift up my soul to You.
       
 ⁹ Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies;
         In You I take shelter.^[a]
 10 Teach me to do Your will,
         For You are my God;
         Your Spirit is good.
         Lead me in the land of uprightness.
       
 ¹¹ Revive me, O LORD, for Your name’s sake!
         For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
 ¹² In Your mercy cut off my enemies,
         And destroy all those who afflict my soul;
         For I am Your servant.
Psalm 143