< Psalms 142 >
1 Maschil of David; a prayer when he was in the cave. I cried to the LORD with my voice; with my voice to the LORD I made my supplication.
The understanding of David. A prayer, when he was in the cave. With my voice, I cried out to the Lord. With my voice, I made supplication to the Lord.
2 I poured out my complaint before him; I showed before him my trouble.
In his sight, I pour out my prayer, and before him, I declare my tribulation.
3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way in which I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.
Though my spirit may become faint within me, even then, you have known my paths. Along this way, which I have been walking, they have hidden a snare for me.
4 I looked on [my] right hand, and beheld, but [there was] no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
I considered toward the right, and I looked, but there was no one who would know me. Flight has perished before me, and there is no one who has concern for my soul.
5 I cried to thee, O LORD: I said, Thou [art] my refuge [and] my portion in the land of the living.
I cried out to you, O Lord. I said: You are my hope, my portion in the land of the living.
6 Attend to my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
Attend to my supplication. For I have been humbled exceedingly. Free me from my persecutors, for they have been fortified against me.
7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall encompass me; for thou wilt deal bountifully with me.
Lead my soul out of confinement in order to confess your name. The just are waiting for me, until you repay me.