Psalms 142

1 A maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A prayer. I call out to the Lord for help; pleading with the Lord for mercy.

[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.

2 I pour out my complaints before him; I tell him what's troubling me.

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

3 When I'm totally discouraged, you know the direction I should take. But whichever way I go, people set traps for me.

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

4 I look to my right for someone to support me—but no one pays me any attention. There's no safe place for me—no one cares about me at all.

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.

5 I cry out to you, Lord, for help, saying, “You are the one who keeps me safe; you are all I need in life.

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

6 Please listen to my sad cry, for I'm feeling very low. Please save me from those who are after me, for they're too strong for me.

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

7 Release me from my prison so I can praise you for the person you are! Those who live right will gather round me because you have treated me so well.”

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