Psalms

Introduction
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PSALM 142^*

A Prayer in Time of Trouble

1A maskil of David, when he was in the cave.^* A prayer.

2With my own voice I cry to the LORD;

with my own voice I beseech the LORD.

3Before him I pour out my complaint,

tell of my distress in front of him.

4When my spirit is faint within me,^a

you know my path.^b

As I go along this path,

they have hidden a trap for me.^c

5I look to my right hand to see^d

that there is no one willing to acknowledge me.

My escape has perished;

no one cares for me.

6I cry out to you, LORD,

I say, You are my refuge,^e

my portion in the land of the living.^f

7Listen to my cry for help,

for I am brought very low.^g

Rescue me from my pursuers,

for they are too strong for me.

8Lead my soul from prison,

that I may give thanks to your name.

Then the righteous shall gather around me^*

because you have been good to me.

* [Psalm 142] In this lament imploring God for help (Ps 142:2–4), the psalmist tells how enemies have set a trap (Ps 142:4–5), and prays for rescue (Ps 142:6–8). The speaker feels utterly alone (Ps 142:5), exhausted (Ps 142:7), and may even be imprisoned (Ps 142:7). Prison is possibly a metaphor for general distress. The last two verses are the vow of praise, made after receiving an assurance of divine help (Ps 142:7).