The book of Psalms is a collection of 150 poems, hymns, and songs. Throughout history, church fathers and Bible scholars have classified individual psalms into various categories according to their content, theme, and structure. Psalm 143 is one of six Psalms identified as penitential, where the psalmist expresses sorrow over sin and spiritual failure. We will be reviewing this Psalm within a framework of its chiastic structure, a common poetic tool in Hebrew poetry. A chiasm is a literary device in which a sequence of ideas is presented and then repeated in reverse order. The result is a “mirror” effect as the ideas are “reflected” back in a passage. Each idea is connected to its “reflection” by a repeated word, often in a related form.
In this Psalm I see the chasm as:
A – Do not enter into judgment on your servant, verses 1-2
B – For the enemy has persecuted my soul, verses 3-4
X – Remind me of your faithfulness for I’m trusting in You, verses 5-8
B – Deliver me from my enemies, verses 9-12
A – For I am your servant, verse 12
The chiasm is intended to point us to the central them, which in this case is David’s trust and dependence on God for help.
SECTION 1 (VV. 12): I’M YOUR SERVANT
Hear my prayer, O Lord,
Give ear to my supplications!
In Your faithfulness answer me,
And in Your righteousness.
Do not enter into judgment with Your servant,
For in Your sight no one living is righteous.
SECTION 2 (VV. 3-4): I’M ATTACKED BY ENEMIES AND I’M IN DISTRESS
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.
Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me;
My heart within me is distressed.
SECTION 3 (VV. 5-8): IN YOU DO I TRUST
I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all Your works;
I muse on the work of Your hands.
I spread out my hands to You;
My soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Selah
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.
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.
SECTION 4 (VV. 9-11): I’M IN DISTRESS FROM MY ENEMIES
Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies;
In You I take shelter.
Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Your Spirit is good.
Lead me in the land of uprightness.
Revive me, O Lord, for Your name’s sake!
For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
SECTION 5 (VV. 11): FOR I’M YOUR SERVANT
In Your mercy cut off my enemies,
And destroy all those who afflict my soul;
For I am Your servant.