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.

“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.

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

I pour out before him my grief: my distress I recite before him.

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 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.

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.

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.

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

I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge, my portion in the land of life.

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.

Listen unto my entreaty; for I am very miserable: deliver me from my pursuers; for they are too mighty for me.

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

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.