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A contemplation by David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer.

142 I cry with my voice to Yahweh.
    With my voice, I ask Yahweh for mercy.
I pour out my complaint before him.
    I tell him my troubles.
When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,
    you knew my route.
On the path in which I walk,
    they have hidden a snare for me.
Look on my right, and see;
    for there is no one who is concerned for me.
    Refuge has fled from me.
    No one cares for my soul.
I cried to you, Yahweh.
    I said, “You are my refuge,
    my portion in the land of the living.”
Listen to my cry,
    for I am in desperate need.
Deliver me from my persecutors,
    for they are too strong for me.
Bring my soul out of prison,
    that I may give thanks to your name.
The righteous will surround me,
    for you will be good to me.

Psalm 142

A Cry of Distress

A Maskil of David. When he was in the cave.(A) A prayer.

I cry aloud to the Lord;(B)
I plead aloud to the Lord for mercy.(C)
I pour out my complaint before him;
I reveal my trouble to him.(D)
Although my spirit is weak within me,
you know my way.(E)
Along this path I travel
they have hidden a trap for me.(F)
Look to the right and see:[a]
no one stands up for me;
there is no refuge for me;
no one cares about me.(G)

I cry to you, Lord;
I say, “You are my shelter,
my portion in the land of the living.”(H)
Listen to my cry,
for I am very weak.(I)
Rescue me from those who pursue me,
for they are too strong for me.(J)
Free me from prison
so that I can praise your name.
The righteous will gather around me
because you deal generously with me.(K)

Footnotes

  1. 142:4 DSS, LXX, Syr, Vg, Tg read I look to the right and I see

22 David therefore departed from there, and escaped to Adullam’s cave. When his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. Everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented, gathered themselves to him; and he became captain over them. There were with him about four hundred men.

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Saul’s Increasing Paranoia

22 So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam.(A) When David’s brothers and his father’s whole family heard, they went down and joined him there. In addition, every man who was desperate, in debt, or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.(B)

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