Psalm chapter 142
English Standard Version
1With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord. 2I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him. 3When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. 4 Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul. 5I cry to you, O Lord; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living." 6 Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low! Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me! 7 Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name! The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me.
New International Version
2I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble. 3When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way. In the path where I walk people have hidden a snare for me.
5I cry to you, Lord; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living." 6Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. 7Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.
New American Standard Bible
1I cry out with my voice to the Lord; With my voice I implore the Lord for compassion. 2I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare my trouble before Him. 3When my spirit felt weak within me, You knew my path. In the way where I walk They have hidden a trap for me. 4Look to the right and see; For there is no one who regards me favorably; There is no escape for me; No one cares for my soul. 5I cried out to You, Lord; I said, 'You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living. 6Give Your attention to my cry, For I have been brought very low; Rescue me from my persecutors, For they are too strong for me. 7Bring my soul out of prison, So that I may give thanks to Your name; The righteous will surround me, For You will look after me.'
Christian Standard Bible
1A Maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer. I cry aloud to the Lord; I plead aloud to the Lord for mercy. 2I pour out my complaint before him; I reveal my trouble to him. 3Although my spirit is weak within me, you know my way. Along this path I travel they have hidden a trap for me.
4Look to the right and see: no one stands up for me; there is no refuge for me; no one cares about me. 5I cry to you, Lord; I say, "You are my shelter, my portion in the land of the living." 6Listen to my cry, for I am very weak. Rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. 7Free me from prison so that I can praise your name. The righteous will gather around me because you deal generously with me.
New Living Translation
1 I cry out to the Lord; I plead for the Lord’s mercy. 2I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles. 3When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn. Wherever I go, my enemies have set traps for me. 4I look for someone to come and help me, but no one gives me a passing thought! No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me. 5Then I pray to you, O Lord. I say, 'You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life. 6Hear my cry, for I am very low. Rescue me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me. 7Bring me out of prison so I can thank you. The godly will crowd around me, for you are good to me.'
King James Version
New King James Version
1{A Contemplation of David. A Prayer when he was in the cave.} I cry out to the Lord with my voice; With my voice to the Lord I make my supplication. 2I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble. 3When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Then You knew my path. In the way in which I walk They have secretly set a snare for me. 4Look on my right hand and see, For there is no one who acknowledges me; Refuge has failed me; No one cares for my soul. 5I cried out to You, O Lord: I said, “You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living. 6Attend to my cry, For I am brought very low; Deliver me from my persecutors, For they are stronger than I. 7Bring my soul out of prison, That I may praise Your name; The righteous shall surround me, For You shall deal bountifully with me.”
What does Psalm chapter 142 mean?
This psalm is labeled as a maskil (Psalm 32:1; 42:1; 44:1; 45:1; 52:1; 53:1; 54:1; 55:1; 74:1; 78:1; 88:1; 89:1), which seems to refer to a style of music. David's name is attached to the text, as well as a reference to "the cave." This may mean the cave of Adullam, where David escaped from King Saul's jealous rage (1 Samuel 22:1). It may also refer to the moment when Saul unknowingly cornered David in a cave where he hid with his men (1 Samuel 24:2–3). Psalm 57 is a less-optimistic expression of similar ideas.David begins by expressing his earnest request. His early words emphasize how he brings this appeal to the Lord. David "cries out," "pleads," "pours out," and "tells" God about this situation. David feels spiritually weak because of his enemies' schemes. He has no ally there to aid him, and he feels friendless in this situation (Psalm 141:1–4).
In response to these dangers, David asks the Lord for rescue. David cannot defeat these enemies on his own—his only escape from feeling trapped by death is an appeal to God. Despite the danger, David seems confident that he will eventually elude these enemies and find himself among godly friends once again. His plan is to praise the Lord when this happens (Psalm 141:5–7).
