Psalms 142

1 [A Psalm] of instruction for David, when he was in the cave, —a Prayer. I cried to the Lord with my voice; with my voice I made supplication to the Lord.

AN INSTRUCTION OF DAVID. A PRAYER WHEN HE IS IN THE CAVE. My voice [is] to YHWH, I cry, My voice [is] to YHWH, I beg [for] grace.

2 I will pour out before him my supplication: I will declare before him mine affliction.

I pour forth my meditation before Him, I declare my distress before Him.

3 When my spirit was fainting within me, then thou knewest my paths; in the very way wherein I was walking, they hid a snare for me.

When my spirit has been feeble in me, Then You have known my path; In the way [in] which I walk, They have hid a snare for me.

4 I looked on [my] right hand, and behold, for there was none that noticed me; refuge failed me; and there was none that cared for my soul.

Looking on the right hand—and seeing, And I have none recognizing; Refuge has perished from me, There is none inquiring for my soul.

5 I cried unto thee, O Lord, and said, Thou art my hope, my portion in the land of the living.

I have cried to you, O YHWH, I have said, “You [are] my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.”

6 Attend to my supplication, for I am brought very low; deliver me from them that persecute me; for they are stronger than I.

Attend to my loud cry, For I have become very low, Deliver me from my pursuers, For they have been stronger than I.

7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may give thanks to thy name, O Lord; the righteous shall wait for me, until thou recompense me.

Bring forth my soul from prison to confess Your Name, The righteous surround me about, When You confer benefits on me!