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.

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 poured out my complaint before him; I showed before him my trouble.

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

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.

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 beheld, but [there was] no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man 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 thee, O LORD: I said, Thou [art] my refuge [and] 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 cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; 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 praise thy name: the righteous shall encompass me; for thou wilt deal bountifully with 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.