No One Living is Righteous

Before we get to today's text in psalm 143, let me say a bit about it.  It is the last of the penitential psalms, which are the psalms the church has recognized as psalms fit to teach us what it means to repent.  Soon, the psalter will take the turn from repentance to joy in the final 5 psalms.  But first, a recognition of who we are before God and our utter dependence on him for salvation from our sinful state, salvation from our earthly enemies, and the sort of sanctification that teaches and grows us up into any form of righteous living.  Aside from knowing the particular means by which Jesus Christ and the work of the Spirit would later become our salvation and sanctification, you can already hear much of the New Testament pattern of dead to sin/alive in Christ here in Psalm 143. So, before we get to those psalms of praise that lift our eyes to the hope and joy of our life in God, perhaps it's fitting in our devotion today to simply read and pray this psalm as our own psalm of repentance and hope. Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you. The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead. So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land.  Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. For your name's sake, Lord, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant. (Psalm 143)