Add parallel Print Page Options

A Davidic Song, when he was in the cave.[a] A prayer.

A Call to God for Help

142 My voice cries out to the Lord;
    my voice pleads for mercy to the Lord.
I pour out my complaint to him,
    telling him all of my troubles.
Though my spirit grows faint within me,
    you are aware of my path.
Wherever I go,
    they have hidden a trap for me.

I look to my right[b] and observe—
    no one is concerned about me.
There is nowhere I can go for refuge,
    and no one cares for me.

So I cry to you, Lord,
    declaring, “You are my refuge,
        my only[c] possession while I am on this earth.”[d]
Pay attention to my cry,
    for I have been brought very low.
Deliver me from my tormentors,
    for they are far too strong for me.
Break me out of this prison,
    so I can give thanks to your name.
The righteous will surround me,
    for you will deal generously with me.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 142:1 cf. 1Sam 24:3-4
  2. Psalm 142:4 So LXX and DSS 11QPsa; MT reads Look to the right
  3. Psalm 142:5 The Heb. lacks only
  4. Psalm 142:5 Lit. possession in the land of the living

Psalm 142[a]

A maskil[b] of David. When he was in the cave.(A) A prayer.

I cry aloud(B) to the Lord;
    I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.(C)
I pour out before him my complaint;(D)
    before him I tell my trouble.(E)

When my spirit grows faint(F) within me,
    it is you who watch over my way.
In the path where I walk
    people have hidden a snare for me.
Look and see, there is no one at my right hand;
    no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;(G)
    no one cares(H) for my life.

I cry to you, Lord;
    I say, “You are my refuge,(I)
    my portion(J) in the land of the living.”(K)

Listen to my cry,(L)
    for I am in desperate need;(M)
rescue me(N) from those who pursue me,
    for they are too strong(O) for me.
Set me free from my prison,(P)
    that I may praise your name.(Q)
Then the righteous will gather about me
    because of your goodness to me.(R)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 142:1 In Hebrew texts 142:1-7 is numbered 142:2-8.
  2. Psalm 142:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term