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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]

A maskil[b] of David. When he was in the cave.(A) A prayer.

I cry aloud(B) to the Lord;
    I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.(C)
I pour out before him my complaint;(D)
    before him I tell my trouble.(E)

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.
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.

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

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.
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

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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David at Adullam and Mizpah

22 David left Gath and escaped to the cave(A) of Adullam.(B) When his brothers and his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered(C) around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him.

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