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Psalm 142
New Living Translation

Psalm 142

A psalm[a] of David, regarding his experience in the cave. A prayer.

1 I cry out to the Lord;
    I plead for the Lord’s mercy.
2 I pour out my complaints before him
    and tell him all my troubles.
3 When I am overwhelmed,
    you alone know the way I should turn.
Wherever I go,
    my enemies have set traps for me.
4 I look for someone to come and help me,
    but no one gives me a passing thought!
No one will help me;
    no one cares a bit what happens to me.
5 Then I pray to you, O Lord.
    I say, “You are my place of refuge.
    You are all I really want in life.
6 Hear my cry,
    for I am very low.
Rescue me from my persecutors,
    for they are too strong for me.
7 Bring me out of prison
    so I can thank you.
The godly will crowd around me,
    for you are good to me.”

Footnotes

  1. 142:Title Hebrew maskil. This may be a literary or musical term.
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Psalm 142
EasyEnglish Bible

This is a special song that David wrote.

He prayed this when he was in the cave.[a]

Please help me, Lord!

142 I am calling to the Lord to help me.
    I ask him to be kind to me.
2 I tell him about all my problems.
    I tell him about all my troubles.
3 When I do not feel brave,
    you are still my guide, Lord.
In the path where I walk,
    my enemies have prepared a trap to catch me.
4 Look at me!
    I have no friend to help me.
There is no safe place where I can go.
    Nobody thinks about me.
5 Yes Lord, I am calling to you to help me.
    You are my safe place where I can hide.
    You are all that I need in this world where I live.
6 Please listen to me as I cry to you.
    I am very upset!
My enemies are trying to catch me.
    Save me from their power!
    They are stronger than I am.
7 Please take me out of this prison.[b]
    Then I will praise your name.
Your own good people will see how you have helped me.
    They will meet round me to praise you.

Footnotes

  1. 142:0 David wrote this song in a cave. It is a prayer that David prayed when his enemies were trying to catch him. He does not say who these enemies were. There are two stories about David hiding in a cave. See 1 Samuel 22 and 1 Samuel 24.
  2. 142:7 The cave where David was hiding seemed like a prison to him. He could not leave safely unless God helped him.
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Psalm 142
Living Bible

142 1-2 How I plead with God, how I implore his mercy, pouring out my troubles before him. 3 For I am overwhelmed and desperate, and you alone know which way I ought to turn to miss the traps my enemies have set for me. 4 (There’s one—just over there to the right!) No one gives me a passing thought. No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me. 5 Then I prayed to Jehovah. “Lord,” I pled, “you are my only place of refuge. Only you can keep me safe.

6 “Hear my cry, for I am very low. Rescue me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me. 7 Bring me out of prison so that I can thank you. The godly will rejoice with me for all your help.”

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Psalm 142
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.

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

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)

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
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Living Bible (TLB)

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