Psalm 142-143
Common English Bible
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.
2 I pour out my concerns before God;
I announce my distress to him.
3 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.
4 Look right beside me: See?
No one pays attention to me.
There’s no escape for me.
No one cares about my life.
5 I cry to you, Lord, for help.
“You are my refuge,” I say.
“You are all I have in the land of the living.”
6 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.
7 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.
Psalm 143
A psalm of David.
143 Listen to my prayer, Lord!
Because of your faithfulness, hear my requests for mercy!
Because of your righteousness, answer me!
2 Please don’t bring your servant to judgment,
because no living thing is righteous before you.
3 The enemy is chasing me,[b]
crushing my life in the dirt,
forcing me to live in the dark
like those who’ve been dead forever.
4 My spirit is weak inside me—
inside, my mind is numb.
5 I remember the days long past;
I meditate on all your deeds;
I contemplate your handiwork.
6 I stretch out my hands to you;
my whole being is like dry dirt, thirsting for you.[c] Selah
7 Answer me, Lord—and quickly! My breath is fading.
Don’t hide your face from me
or I’ll be like those going down to the pit!
8 Tell me all about your faithful love come morning time,
because I trust you.
Show me the way I should go,
because I offer my life up to you.
9 Deliver me from my enemies, Lord!
I seek protection from you.[d]
10 Teach me to do what pleases you,
because you are my God.
Guide me by your good spirit
into good land.
11 Make me live again, Lord, for your name’s sake.
Bring me out of distress because of your righteousness.
12 Wipe out my enemies because of your faithful love.
Destroy everyone who attacks me,
because I am your servant.
Footnotes
- Psalm 142:1 Perhaps instruction
- Psalm 143:3 Or my soul; also in 143:6, 8, 11-12
- Psalm 143:6 Heb lacks thirsting.
- Psalm 143:9 Heb uncertain; MT to you I have hidden
Psalm 142-143
New International Version
Psalm 142[a]
A maskil[b] of David. When he was in the cave.(A) A prayer.
1 I cry aloud(B) to the Lord;
I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.(C)
2 I pour out before him my complaint;(D)
before him I tell my trouble.(E)
3 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.
4 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.
6 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.
7 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)
Psalm 143
A psalm of David.
1 Lord, hear my prayer,(S)
listen to my cry for mercy;(T)
in your faithfulness(U) and righteousness(V)
come to my relief.
2 Do not bring your servant into judgment,
for no one living is righteous(W) before you.
3 The enemy pursues me,
he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in the darkness(X)
like those long dead.(Y)
4 So my spirit grows faint within me;
my heart within me is dismayed.(Z)
5 I remember(AA) the days of long ago;
I meditate(AB) on all your works
and consider what your hands have done.
6 I spread out my hands(AC) to you;
I thirst for you like a parched land.[c]
7 Answer me quickly,(AD) Lord;
my spirit fails.(AE)
Do not hide your face(AF) from me
or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,(AG)
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way(AH) I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.(AI)
9 Rescue me(AJ) from my enemies,(AK) Lord,
for I hide myself in you.
10 Teach me(AL) to do your will,
for you are my God;(AM)
may your good Spirit
lead(AN) me on level ground.(AO)
Footnotes
- Psalm 142:1 In Hebrew texts 142:1-7 is numbered 142:2-8.
- Psalm 142:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
- Psalm 143:6 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.