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

I pour my complaint before him, I tell my troubles to 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 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 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 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 cry out to you, Lord, for help, saying, “You are the one who keeps me safe; you are all I need in life.

So I cry to you, O Lord: I say, ‘My refuge are you, all I have 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 piercing cry, for very weak am I. Save me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.

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.”

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.