Psalms 143:1

At first sight it seems inconsistent that the Psalmist should appeal to Jehovah's righteousness, and yet (Psalms 143:2) deprecate being put on his trial. But Jehovah's righteousness here denotes His unvarying conformity to His own character, that absolute perfection of dealing which is the perpetual expression of His unchanging Will. Similarly His faithfulness is the attribute which makes it impossible that He should be false to the covenant which He has made with His servants. And as He has revealed Himself as a God of mercy and forgiveness (Exodus 34:5-7), the Psalmist can boldly plead for a merciful answer on the ground of His righteousness and faithfulness. Cp. St John's words "He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins" (1 John 1:9); Psalms 5:8; Psalms 31:1.