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Psalm 142
New English Translation

Psalm 142[a]

A well-written song[b] by David, when he was in the cave;[c] a prayer.

142 To the Lord I cry out;[d]
to the Lord I plead for mercy.[e]
2 I pour out my lament before him;
I tell him about[f] my troubles.
3 Even when my strength leaves me,[g]
you watch my footsteps.[h]
In the path where I walk
they have hidden a trap for me.
4 Look to the right and see.
No one cares about me.[i]
I have nowhere to run;[j]
no one is concerned about my life.[k]
5 I cry out to you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my shelter,
my security[l] in the land of the living.”
6 Listen to my cry for help,
for I am in serious trouble.[m]
Rescue me from those who chase me,
for they are stronger than I am.
7 Free me[n] from prison,
that I may give thanks to your name.
Because of me the godly will assemble,[o]
for you will vindicate me.[p]

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 142:1 sn Psalm 142. The psalmist laments his persecuted state and asks the Lord to deliver him from his enemies.
  2. Psalm 142:1 tn The meaning of the Hebrew term מַשְׂכִּיל (maskil) is uncertain. The word is derived from a verb meaning “to be prudent; to be wise.” Various options are: “a contemplative song,” “a song imparting moral wisdom,” or “a skillful [i.e., well-written] song.” The term occurs in the superscriptions of Pss 32, 42, 44, 45, 52-55, 74, 78, 88, 89, and 142, as well as in Ps 47:7.
  3. Psalm 142:1 sn According to the superscription, David wrote this psalm while in “the cave.” This probably refers to either the incident recorded in 1 Sam 22:1 or to the one recorded in 1 Sam 24:3. See the superscription of Ps 57.
  4. Psalm 142:1 tn Heb “[with] my voice to the Lord I cry out.”
  5. Psalm 142:1 tn Heb “[with] my voice to the Lord I plead for mercy.”
  6. Psalm 142:2 tn Heb “my trouble before him I declare.”
  7. Psalm 142:3 tn Heb “my spirit grows faint.”
  8. Psalm 142:3 tn Heb “you know my path.”
  9. Psalm 142:4 tn Heb “there is no one who recognizes me.”
  10. Psalm 142:4 tn Heb “ a place of refuge perishes from me.”
  11. Psalm 142:4 tn Heb “there is no one who seeks for the sake of my life.”
  12. Psalm 142:5 tn Heb “my portion.” The psalmist compares the Lord to landed property, which was foundational to economic stability in ancient Israel.
  13. Psalm 142:6 tn Heb “for I am very low.”
  14. Psalm 142:7 tn Heb “bring out my life.”
  15. Psalm 142:7 tn Or “gather around.”
  16. Psalm 142:7 tn The Hebrew idiom גָּמַל עַל (gamal ʿal) means “to repay,” here in a positive sense.
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Psalm 142
New American Bible (Revised Edition)

Psalm 142[a]

A Prayer in Time of Trouble

1 A maskil of David, when he was in the cave.[b] A prayer.

2 With my own voice I cry to the Lord;
    with my own voice I beseech the Lord.
3 Before him I pour out my complaint,
    tell of my distress in front of him.
4 When my spirit is faint within me,(A)
    you know my path.(B)
As I go along this path,
    they have hidden a trap for me.(C)
5 I look to my right hand to see(D)
    that there is no one willing to acknowledge me.
My escape has perished;
    no one cares for me.
6 I cry out to you, Lord,
    I say, You are my refuge,(E)
    my portion in the land of the living.(F)
7 Listen to my cry for help,
    for I am brought very low.(G)
Rescue me from my pursuers,
    for they are too strong for me.
8 Lead my soul from prison,
    that I may give thanks to your name.
Then the righteous shall gather around me[c]
    because you have been good to me.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 142 In this lament imploring God for help (Ps 142:2–4), the psalmist tells how enemies have set a trap (Ps 142:4–5), and prays for rescue (Ps 142:6–8). The speaker feels utterly alone (Ps 142:5), exhausted (Ps 142:7), and may even be imprisoned (Ps 142:7). Prison is possibly a metaphor for general distress. The last two verses are the vow of praise, made after receiving an assurance of divine help (Ps 142:7).
  2. 142:1 In the cave: cf. 1 Sm 22:1; 24:1–3; Ps 57:1.
  3. 142:8 Then the righteous shall gather around me: in the Temple, when the psalmist offers a thanksgiving sacrifice.
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New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.