Psalms 142

1 The understanding of David. A prayer, when he was in the cave. With my voice, I cried out to the Lord. With my voice, I made supplication to the Lord.

A maskil of David, while he was in the cave, a prayer. Loudly I cry to the Lord: to the Lord plead loudly for mercy,

2 In his sight, I pour out my prayer, and before him, I declare my tribulation.

I pour my complaint before him, I tell my troubles to him.

3 Though my spirit may become faint within me, even then, you have known my paths. Along this way, which I have been walking, they have hidden a snare for me.

When my spirit is faint within me, my path is known to you. In the way I am wont to walk in, they have hidden a trap for me.

4 I considered toward the right, and I looked, but there was no one who would know me. Flight has perished before me, and there is no one who has concern for my soul.

I look to the right and the left; but not a friend have I. No place of refuge is left me, not a man to care for me.

5 I cried out to you, O Lord. I said: You are my hope, my portion in the land of the living.

So I cry to you, O Lord: I say, ‘My refuge are you, all I have in the land of the living.’

6 Attend to my supplication. For I have been humbled exceedingly. Free me from my persecutors, for they have been fortified against me.

Attend to my piercing cry, for very weak am I. Save me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.

7 Lead my soul out of confinement in order to confess your name. The just are waiting for me, until you repay me.

Free me from prison, that I may give thanks to your name, for the righteous are patiently waiting till you show your bounty to me.