Psalm 142–143

Psalm 142

A prayer of David when he was in the cave. A maskil.

¹I call out to the Lord.

I pray to him for his favor.

²I pour out my problem to him.

I tell him about my trouble.

³When I grow weak,

you know what I’m going through.

In the path where I walk,

people have hidden a trap to catch me.

⁴Look around me, and you will see

that no one is concerned about me.

I have no place of safety.

No one cares whether I live or die.

⁵Lord, I cry out to you.

I say, “You are my place of safety.

You are everything I need in this life.”

⁶Listen to my cry.

I am in great need.

Save me from those who are chasing me.

They are too strong for me.

⁷My troubles are like a prison.

Set me free so I can praise your name.

Then those who do what is right will gather around me

because you have been good to me.

Psalm 143

A psalm of David.

¹Lord, hear my prayer.

Listen to my cry for your favor.

You are faithful and right.

Come and help me.

²Don’t take me to court and judge me,

because in your eyes no living person does what is right.

³My enemies chase me.

They crush me down to the ground.

They make me live in darkness

like those who died long ago.

⁴So I grow weak.

Deep down inside me, I’m afraid.

⁵I remember what happened long ago.

I spend time thinking about all of your acts.

I consider what your hands have done.

⁶I spread out my hands to you in prayer.

I’m thirsty for you, just as dry ground is thirsty for rain. Selah

⁷Lord, answer me quickly.

I’m growing weak.

Don’t turn your face away from me,

or I will be like those who go down into the grave.

⁸In the morning let me hear about your faithful love,

because I’ve put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should live,

because I pray to you.

⁹Lord, save me from my enemies,

because I go to you for safety.

¹⁰Teach me to do what you want,

because you are my God.

May your good Spirit

lead me on a level path.

¹¹Lord, be true to your name. Keep me alive.

Because you do what is right, get me out of trouble.

¹²Because your love is faithful, put an end to my enemies.

Destroy all of them, because I serve you.