Psalms 142

1 Of understanding for David. A prayer when he was in the cave. I cried to the Lord with my voice: 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 trouble:

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

3 When my spirit failed me, then thou newest my paths.

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 looked on my right hand, and beheld, and there was no one that would know me. Flight hath failed me: and there is no one that hath regard to 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 to thee, O Lord: I said: Thou art 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 am brought very low. Deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

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 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the just wait for me, until thou reward 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.