Psalm 142
King James Version
142 I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication.
2 I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.
3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.
4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
5 I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
6 Attend unto 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 praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.
Psalm 142
English Standard Version
You Are My Refuge
A Maskil[a] of David, when he was in (A)the cave. A Prayer.
142 With my voice I (B)cry out to the Lord;
with my voice I (C)plead for mercy to the Lord.
2 I (D)pour out my complaint before him;
I tell my trouble before him.
3 When my spirit (E)faints within me,
you know my way!
In the path where I walk
they have (F)hidden a trap for me.
4 (G)Look to the (H)right and see:
(I)there is none who takes notice of me;
(J)no refuge remains to me;
no one cares for my soul.
5 I cry to you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my (K)refuge,
my (L)portion in (M)the land of the living.”
6 (N)Attend to my cry,
for (O)I am brought very low!
Deliver me from my persecutors,
(P)for they are too strong for me!
7 (Q)Bring me out of prison,
that I may give thanks to your name!
The righteous will surround me,
for you will (R)deal bountifully with me.
Footnotes
- Psalm 142:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
Psalm 142
New American Standard Bible
Prayer for Help in Trouble.
[a]Maskil of David, when he was [b]in the cave. A Prayer.
142 I (A)cry out with my voice to the Lord;
With my voice I (B)implore the Lord for compassion.
2 I (C)pour out my complaint before Him;
I declare my (D)trouble before Him.
3 When (E)my spirit felt weak within me,
You knew my path.
In the way where I walk
They have (F)hidden a trap for me.
4 Look to the right and see;
For there is (G)no one who regards me favorably;
[c]There is no (H)escape for me;
(I)No one cares for my soul.
5 I cried out to You, Lord;
I said, “You are (J)my refuge,
My (K)portion in the (L)land of the living.
6 (M)Give Your attention to my cry,
For I have been (N)brought very low;
Rescue me from my persecutors,
For they are too (O)strong for me.
7 (P)Bring my soul out of prison,
So that I may give thanks to Your name;
The righteous will surround me,
For You will (Q)look after me.”
Footnotes
- Psalm 142 Title Possibly Contemplative; or Didactic; or Skillful Psalm
- Psalm 142 Title 1 Sam 22:1; 24:3
- Psalm 142:4 Lit Escape has perished from me
Psalm 142
Easy-to-Read Version
A maskil of David written when he was in the cave. A prayer.
142 I cry out to the Lord.
I beg the Lord to help me.
2 I tell him my problems;
I tell him about my troubles.
3 I am ready to give up.
But you, Lord, know the path I am on,
and you know that my enemies have set a trap for me.
4 I look around,
and I don’t see anyone I know.
I have no place to run.
There is no one to save me.
5 Lord, I cry out to you for help:
“You are my place of safety.
You are all I need in life.”
6 Listen to my prayer.
I am so weak.
Save me from those who are chasing me.
They are stronger than I am.
7 Help me escape this trap,[a]
so that I can praise your name.
Then good people will celebrate with me,
because you took care of me.
Footnotes
- Psalm 142:7 trap Literally, “frame around my soul.”
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
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