< Psalms 142 >
1 “A Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A prayer.” With my voice I cry unto the Lord: with my voice I make supplication unto the Lord.
[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 before him my grief: my distress I recite before him.
I will pour out before him my supplication: I will declare before him mine affliction.
3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me—and thou knowest well my path—on the way whereon I desired to walk they had secretly laid a snare 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 Look to the right, and behold, yea, there is no man that recognizeth me: [every] refuge is lost to me; there is no one that careth for my soul.
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 cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge, my portion in the land of life.
I cried to you, O Lord, and said, You are my hope, my portion in the land of the living.
6 Listen unto my entreaty; for I am very miserable: deliver me from my pursuers; for they are too mighty 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 Bring forth out of prison my soul, that I may thank thy name: with me shall the righteous crown themselves, when thou wilt deal bountifully with me.
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.