Psalm 142
New English Translation
Psalm 142[a]
A well-written song[b] by David, when he was in the cave;[c] a prayer.
142 To the Lord I cry out;[d]
to the Lord I plead for mercy.[e]
2 I pour out my lament before him;
I tell him about[f] my troubles.
3 Even when my strength leaves me,[g]
you watch my footsteps.[h]
In the path where I walk
they have hidden a trap for me.
4 Look to the right and see.
No one cares about me.[i]
I have nowhere to run;[j]
no one is concerned about my life.[k]
5 I cry out to you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my shelter,
my security[l] in the land of the living.”
6 Listen to my cry for help,
for I am in serious trouble.[m]
Rescue me from those who chase me,
for they are stronger than I am.
7 Free me[n] from prison,
that I may give thanks to your name.
Because of me the godly will assemble,[o]
for you will vindicate me.[p]
Footnotes
- Psalm 142:1 sn Psalm 142. The psalmist laments his persecuted state and asks the Lord to deliver him from his enemies.
- Psalm 142:1 tn The meaning of the Hebrew term מַשְׂכִּיל (maskil) is uncertain. The word is derived from a verb meaning “to be prudent; to be wise.” Various options are: “a contemplative song,” “a song imparting moral wisdom,” or “a skillful [i.e., well-written] song.” The term occurs in the superscriptions of Pss 32, 42, 44, 45, 52-55, 74, 78, 88, 89, and 142, as well as in Ps 47:7.
- Psalm 142:1 sn According to the superscription, David wrote this psalm while in “the cave.” This probably refers to either the incident recorded in 1 Sam 22:1 or to the one recorded in 1 Sam 24:3. See the superscription of Ps 57.
- Psalm 142:1 tn Heb “[with] my voice to the Lord I cry out.”
- Psalm 142:1 tn Heb “[with] my voice to the Lord I plead for mercy.”
- Psalm 142:2 tn Heb “my trouble before him I declare.”
- Psalm 142:3 tn Heb “my spirit grows faint.”
- Psalm 142:3 tn Heb “you know my path.”
- Psalm 142:4 tn Heb “there is no one who recognizes me.”
- Psalm 142:4 tn Heb “ a place of refuge perishes from me.”
- Psalm 142:4 tn Heb “there is no one who seeks for the sake of my life.”
- Psalm 142:5 tn Heb “my portion.” The psalmist compares the Lord to landed property, which was foundational to economic stability in ancient Israel.
- Psalm 142:6 tn Heb “for I am very low.”
- Psalm 142:7 tn Heb “bring out my life.”
- Psalm 142:7 tn Or “gather around.”
- Psalm 142:7 tn The Hebrew idiom גָּמַל עַל (gamal ʿal) means “to repay,” here in a positive sense.
Psalm 142
New King James Version
A Plea for Relief from Persecutors
A (A)Contemplation[a] of David. A Prayer (B)when he was in the cave.
142 I cry out to the Lord with my voice;
With my voice to the Lord I make my supplication.
2 I pour out my complaint before Him;
I declare before Him my trouble.
3 When my spirit [b]was (C)overwhelmed within me,
Then You knew my path.
In the way in which I walk
They have secretly (D)set a snare for me.
4 Look on my right hand and see,
For there is no one who acknowledges me;
Refuge has failed me;
No one cares for my soul.
5 I cried out to You, O Lord:
I said, “You are my refuge,
My portion in the land of the living.
6 [c]Attend to my cry,
For I am brought very low;
Deliver me from my persecutors,
For they are stronger than I.
7 Bring my soul out of prison,
That I may (E)praise Your name;
The righteous shall surround me,
For You shall deal bountifully with me.”
Footnotes
- Psalm 142:1 Heb. Maschil
- Psalm 142:3 Lit. fainted
- Psalm 142:6 Give heed
Salmos 142
Nueva Biblia de las Américas
Salmo 142
Oración en la angustia
Masquil de David, cuando estaba en la cueva. Plegaria.
142 Clamo al Señor con mi voz(A);
Con mi voz suplico al Señor(B).
2 Delante de Él expongo mi queja(C);
En Su presencia manifiesto mi angustia(D).
3 Cuando mi espíritu desmayaba dentro de mí(E),
Tú conociste mi senda.
En la senda en que camino
Me han tendido una trampa(F).
4 Mira a la derecha, y ve,
Porque no hay quien me tome en cuenta(G);
No hay refugio para mí(H);
No hay quien cuide de mi alma(I).
5 ¶A Ti he clamado, Señor;
Dije: «Tú eres mi refugio(J),
Mi porción(K) en la tierra de los vivientes(L).
6 -»Atiende a mi clamor(M),
Porque estoy muy abatido(N);
Líbrame de los que me persiguen,
Porque son más fuertes que yo(O).
7 -»Saca mi alma de la prisión(P),
Para que yo dé gracias a Tu nombre;
Los justos me rodearán,
Porque Tú me colmarás de bendiciones(Q)».
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