Psalms 142

1 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.

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

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

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

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 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.

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 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.

So I cry to you, O Lord: I say, ‘My refuge are you, all I have in the land of the living.’

6 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.

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 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.

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.