Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 143:2

"And enter not into judgment with thy servant; For in thy sight no man living is righteous." — Psalms 143:2 (ASV)

And enter not into judgment with thy servant - Do not deal with me on the ground of justice as toward you; do not mark my own offences against you, when I plead that justice may be done as between me and my fellow men. While I plead that you would judge righteously between me and them, I am conscious that I could not claim your needed interposition on the ground of any righteousness toward you. There I must confess that I am a sinner; there I can rely only on mercy; there I could not hope to be justified.

For in thy sight - As before you; in your presence; by you.

Shall no man living - No one of the race, no matter what his rank, his outward conduct, his gentleness, his amiableness, his kindness; no matter how just and upright he may be toward his fellow men.

Be justified - Be regarded as righteous; be acquitted from blame; be held to be innocent. The meaning is, “I do not come before you and plead for your favor on the ground of any claim on you, for I am conscious that I am a sinner, and that my only hope is in your mercy.” See the notes at (Romans 3:20). Compare (Job 4:17); (Job 9:2, 9:20); (Job 15:14–16); (Job 25:4–6).

This is a great and momentous truth in regard to man; it is the foundation of the necessity for a plan of salvation through an atonement—for some way in which man may properly be regarded and treated as righteous. Assuredly every man, conscious of what he is in himself, may and should fervently pray that God would not enter into judgment with him; that he would not mark his offences; that he would not judge him as strict justice would demand. Our hope is in the mercy, not in the justice of God.