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.

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

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

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 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 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.

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

I have cried to you, O YHWH, I have said, “You [are] my refuge, 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 loud cry, For I have become very low, Deliver me from my pursuers, For they have been 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 forth my soul from prison to confess Your Name, The righteous surround me about, When You confer benefits on me!