Psalm 142[a]

A maskil[b] of David. When he was in the cave.(A) A prayer.

I cry aloud(B) to the Lord;
    I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.(C)
I pour out before him my complaint;(D)
    before him I tell my trouble.(E)

When my spirit grows faint(F) within me,
    it is you who watch over my way.
In the path where I walk
    people have hidden a snare for me.
Look and see, there is no one at my right hand;
    no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;(G)
    no one cares(H) for my life.

I cry to you, Lord;
    I say, “You are my refuge,(I)
    my portion(J) in the land of the living.”(K)

Listen to my cry,(L)
    for I am in desperate need;(M)
rescue me(N) from those who pursue me,
    for they are too strong(O) for me.
Set me free from my prison,(P)
    that I may praise your name.(Q)
Then the righteous will gather about me
    because of your goodness to me.(R)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 142:1 In Hebrew texts 142:1-7 is numbered 142:2-8.
  2. Psalm 142:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term

Psalm 142

A Contemplative Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer.

I cried unto the Lord with my voice;
    with my voice I made my supplication unto the Lord.
I poured out my complaint before Him;
    I declared to Him my trouble.

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,
    then You knew my path.
In the way where I walk,
    they have laid a snare for me.
I looked on my right and noticed,
    but there was no one who would care for me;
there is no refuge for me;
    no one cares for my soul.

I cried unto You, O Lord;
    I said, “You are my refuge
    and my portion in the land of the living.”

Attend to my cry,
    for I am brought very low;
deliver me from my persecutors,
    for they are stronger than me.
Bring my soul out of prison,
    that I may praise Your name;
the righteous shall surround me,
    for You shall deal bountifully with me.

Psalm 142

A maskil[a] of David, when he was in the cave. A prayer.

142 I cry out loud for help from the Lord.
    I beg out loud for mercy from the Lord.
I pour out my concerns before God;
    I announce my distress to him.
When my spirit is weak inside me, you still know my way.
    But they’ve hidden a trap for me in the path I’m taking.
Look right beside me: See?
    No one pays attention to me.
There’s no escape for me.
    No one cares about my life.

I cry to you, Lord, for help.
    “You are my refuge,” I say.
    “You are all I have in the land of the living.”
Pay close attention to my shouting,
    because I’ve been brought down so low!
Deliver me from my oppressors
    because they’re stronger than me.
Get me out of this prison
    so I can give thanks to your name.
Then the righteous will gather all around me
    because of your good deeds to me.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 142:1 Perhaps instruction