Psalm 142-143

New International Version

Psalm 142^[a]

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

¹I cry aloud^(B) to the Lord;
I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.^(C)
²I pour out before him my complaint;^(D)
before him I tell my trouble.^(E)

³When 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.
⁴Look 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.

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

⁶Listen 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.
⁷Set 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)

Psalm 143

A psalm of David.

¹Lord, hear my prayer,^(S)
    listen to my cry for mercy;^(T)
in your faithfulness^(U) and righteousness^(V)
    come to my relief.
²Do not bring your servant into judgment,
    for no one living is righteous^(W) before you.
³The enemy pursues me,
    he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in the darkness^(X)
    like those long dead.^(Y)
⁴So my spirit grows faint within me;
    my heart within me is dismayed.^(Z)
⁵I remember^(AA) the days of long ago;
    I meditate^(AB) on all your works
    and consider what your hands have done.
⁶I spread out my hands^(AC) to you;
    I thirst for you like a parched land.^[c]

⁷Answer me quickly,^(AD) Lord;
    my spirit fails.^(AE)
Do not hide your face^(AF) from me
    or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
⁸Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,^(AG)
    for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way^(AH) I should go,
    for to you I entrust my life.^(AI)
⁹Rescue me^(AJ) from my enemies,^(AK) Lord,
    for I hide myself in you.
¹⁰Teach me^(AL) to do your will,
    for you are my God;^(AM)
may your good Spirit
    lead^(AN) me on level ground.^(AO)

¹¹For your name’s sake,^(AP) Lord, preserve my life;^(AQ)
    in your righteousness,^(AR) bring me out of trouble.
¹²In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;^(AS)
    destroy all my foes,^(AT)
    for I am your servant.^(AU)