Psalms 142

1 The lernyng of Dauid; `his preier, `whanne he was in the denne. With my vois Y criede to the Lord; with my vois Y preiede hertli to the Lord.

Maschil. Of David. A prayer when he was in the hole of the rock. The sound of my cry went up to the Lord; with my voice I made my prayer for grace to the Lord.

2 I schede out my preier in his siyt; and Y pronounce my tribulacioun bifor him.

I put all my sorrows before him; and made clear to him all my trouble.

3 While my spirit failith of me; and thou hast knowe my pathis. In this weie in which Y yede; proude men hidden a snare to me.

When my spirit is overcome, your eyes are on my goings; nets have been secretly placed in the way in which I go.

4 I bihelde to the riyt side, and Y siy; and noon was that knew me. Fliyt perischide fro me; and noon is that sekith my soule.

Looking to my right side, I saw no man who was my friend: I had no safe place; no one had any care for my soul.

5 Lord, Y criede to thee, Y seide, Thou art myn hope; my part in the lond of lyueris.

I have made my cry to you, O Lord; I have said, You are my safe place, and my heritage in the land of the living.

6 Yyue thou tent to my biseching; for Y am maad low ful greetli. Delyuere thou me fro hem that pursuen me; for thei ben coumfortid on me.

Give ear to my cry, for I am made very low: take me out of the hands of my haters, for they are stronger than I.

7 Lede my soule out of keping to knouleche to thi name; iust men abiden me, til thou yelde to me.

Take my soul out of prison, so that I may give praise to your name: the upright will give praise because of me; for you have given me a full reward.