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 maschil of David, when he was in the cave; a prayer. With my voice I cry out for help to Yahweh; with my voice I plead for Yahweh's favor.

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

I pour out my lament before him; I tell him my troubles.

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 weak within me, you know my path. In the way that I walk 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 my right and and see that there is no one who cares about me. There is no escape for me; no one cares about my life.

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 called out to you, Yahweh; I 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.

Listen to my call, for I have been brought very low; rescue me from my persecutors, 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 so that I may give thanks to your name. The righteous will gather around me because you have been good to me.”