Psalm 142

A Cry of Distress

A Maskil of David. When he was in the cave.† A prayer.

I cry aloud to the Lord;a

I plead aloud to the Lord for mercy.b

2I pour out my complaint before him;

I reveal my trouble to him.a

3Although my spirit is weak within me,

you know my way.a

Along this path I travel

they have hidden a trap for me.b

4Look to the right and see:A

no one stands up for me;

there is no refuge for me;

no one cares about me.a

5I cry to you, Lord;

I say, “You are my shelter,

my portion in the land of the living.”a

6Listen to my cry,

for I am very weak.a

Rescue me from those who pursue me,

for they are too strong for me.b

7Free me from prison

so that I can praise your name.

The righteous will gather around me

because you deal generously with me.a