Psalms 142

1 [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.

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

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

3 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.

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 behold, for there was none that noticed me; refuge failed me; and there was none that cared for 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 you, O Lord, and said, You are 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 them that persecute me; 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 give thanks to your name, O Lord; the righteous shall wait for me, until you recompense 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.