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Psalm 142

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

I cry out to the Lord;
    I plead for the Lord’s mercy.
I pour out my complaints before him
    and tell him all my troubles.
When I am overwhelmed,
    you alone know the way I should turn.
Wherever I go,
    my enemies have set traps for me.
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.
Then I pray to you, O Lord.
    I say, “You are my place of refuge.
    You are all I really want in life.
Hear my cry,
    for I am very low.
Rescue me from my persecutors,
    for they are too strong for me.
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.

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.
I tell him about all my problems.
    I tell him about all my troubles.
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.
Look at me!
    I have no friend to help me.
There is no safe place where I can go.
    Nobody thinks about me.
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.
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.
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.