Lord, It’s Me Again!

 Temple Baptist Church - 4-5-2026

Psalm 143

 

Introduction:

A.  This Psalm reminds me of the pastor who called on a farmer in his church to open the service in prayer.  The old farmer began his prayer in a way that all of us should be familiar with: “Lord, it’s me again!”

 

B.  The Psalms may seem repetitive at times, and my preaching keyed in on the same subjects.  My work is to preach it, but herein lies the problem: it is our work to apply it and adhere to it.

 

C.  Here, we find a man after God’s heart, overwhelmed, and his heart desolate.  If King David had a problem with his heart and mind, we are certainly subject to these same conditions!  One of my favorite songs on our subject for tonight is “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.”  Listen to the third verse:

 

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily, I'm constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

 

D.  Why such repetition in the Psalms?  David wrote 73 of the psalms, many of which 12 or so begin by questioning God.  Because, though our hearts pant after God, we live in a fragile condition because of circumstances, our flesh, our enemies, and a short-term memory!  “Old folks' disease!”

 

E.  With these thoughts in mind, let us break down the Psalm into its parts,

 

1.  Verses 1-2. 

Psalms 143:1-2  A Psalm of David. Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.  (2)  And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

 

a.  In the first 2 verses of the Psalm, David asked God not to enter into judgment with him at this particular time because no living man can be justified with God.  He realizes he's a sinner, but sinners love God too, and he's turning to God for help. God remains his refuge and strength in times of need.

 

Hebrews 4:14-16  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  (15)  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  (16)  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

b.  In verse one, David wants God to hear his prayer.  It pleases God when His children turn to Him in times of need instead of relying on themselves.   I thank the Lord for hearing the prayers of His people. Even in our sinful condition, we are still sinners saved by the grace of God.   God hears them when they pray.

 

c.  Secondly, David said I want you to give ear to my supplications.  He had things that he needed to ask God for. He had things that he needed God to do in his life.  He had things he needed the grace of God for to maintain his spirit.  Most of the time, our need is more spiritual than physical!

 

d.  David appeals to the faithfulness of God.  Aren't you glad that when we're not faithful, God still is faithful!  He cannot, He will not deny Himself! In his appeal, he said, Lord, you've always been there for me. I don't see why you won't be there for me now and in the days to come.

 

e.  David appeals to the righteousness of God.  Bowing to the righteous answers that God gives, not just what he wants done.  I find that interesting, as we want answers, and we never say Lord, you do what you know is right. I don't know the end from the beginning, but He does.  I don't know what I'll need tomorrow. God does know what I don't need tomorrow. I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow; I just want God, in his faithfulness, to righteously lead me, even if it's against my will. Our Lord bowed to the will of God in the garden!

 

2.  Verses 3-4. 

 

Psalms 143:3-4  For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.  (4)  Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.

 

a.  Verse 3.  In verses 3 and 4, we find that David's condition is both outward and inward.  I will deal with the outward first. 

 

1)  David’s enemies have persecuted his soul well.  They will never give up!  They never give up because Satan never gives up. 

 

2)  If you think there's going to be a day in your life when everything is going to be absolutely wonderful, I think you're living in a dream world, not reality. 

 

3)  Though we cannot control either our enemies or circumstances, we cannot allow them to control us.

 

b.  Verse 4.  Inwardly is the problem.  David said, “ For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness.”  

 

1)  I thought about that, that's something you have to allow him to do.  He might persecute our souls, but our lives are in our hands.

 

2)  David is not seeing his plight right.  His spirit is overwhelmed, and his heart is desolate because of his spiritual condition. God does not want us overwhelmed or our hearts desolate.

 

3.  Verses 5-6. 

 

Psalms 143:5-6  I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.  (6)  I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.

 

a.  Three things that go together in a progressive manner: remember, meditate, and muse.

 

1)  “I remember the days of old” is a good thing!  Now, David is beginning on the road to spiritual recovery!  In past trials, God had not let him down.  Hindsight is normally 20/20 and changes our perspective on the present.

 

2)  “I meditate on all thy works” speaks of a deliberate, focused reflection about something.  It is both active and purposeful.  David is choosing to think about God’s past faithfulness.  Considering, reviewing, or weighing.

 

3)  “I muse on the work of thy hands” is similar to meditate, but distinctly different at the same time.  Muse means to internalize. Murmuring to oneself.

 

b.  Though they sound similar, they carry distinct shades of meaning that deepen the verse rather than repeat it.  Remember, David recalls, meditates.   David thinks carefully or assesses what he remembers.  Muses, David allows them to sink into his soul.

 

c.  “I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.”  Now, David is on the right road. 

 

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  (6)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 

4.  Verses 7-11. 

 

a.  Notice the progression that takes place when David gets his persecuted soul, smitten life, overwhelmed spirit, and desolate heart in “his rearview mirror,” and his eyes are focused on the God of all comfort. Hear me.  Cause me.  Lift me.  Deliver me.  Hide me.  Teach me.  Lead me.  Quicken me.

 

b.  These are all things that God does, not what David does.  When David got his eyes off himself and on God, he found help that was always available.  God is still able to do!

 

Ephesians 3:20-21  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,  (21)  Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

 

5.  Verse 12.  Psalms 143:12  And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.