Psalms 142

1 The understanding of David. A prayer, when he was in the cave. With my voice, I cried out to the Lord. With my voice, I made supplication to the Lord.

A maschil of David, when he was in the cave; a prayer. With my voice I cry out for help to Yahweh; with my voice I plead for Yahweh's favor.

2 In his sight, I pour out my prayer, and before him, I declare my tribulation.

I pour out my lament before him; I tell him my troubles.

3 Though my spirit may become faint within me, even then, you have known my paths. Along this way, which I have been walking, they have hidden a snare for me.

When my spirit is weak within me, you know my path. In the way that I walk they have hidden a trap for me.

4 I considered toward the right, and I looked, but there was no one who would know me. Flight has perished before me, and there is no one who has concern for my soul.

I look to my right and and see that there is no one who cares about me. There is no escape for me; no one cares about my life.

5 I cried out to you, O Lord. I said: You are my hope, my portion in the land of the living.

I called out to you, Yahweh; I said, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.

6 Attend to my supplication. For I have been humbled exceedingly. Free me from my persecutors, for they have been fortified against me.

Listen to my call, for I have been brought very low; rescue me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.

7 Lead my soul out of confinement in order to confess your name. The just are waiting for me, until you repay me.

Bring my soul out of prison so that I may give thanks to your name. The righteous will gather around me because you have been good to me.”